Following the tragic incident at Precko Elementary School last Friday, in which one student lost his life while a teacher and several students were injured, three educational unions organized a silent march through the center of Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, under the slogan “For a Safe School.”
The Teachers’ Union, the Preporod Union, and the Independent Union of Secondary School Employees organized the large march. Thousands of participants carrying candle lanterns walked from the Teachers’ Home on the Republic of Croatia Square, passing through the city center to highlight the importance of safety in schools after the tragic event at Precko Elementary School last Friday.
“We want to be the light, not carry candles!”, “When one mother cries, all mothers cry,” “You’ve taken everything, but we won’t give you our children,” “An attack on you is terrorism, but an attack on children is an incident!”, “Comfy chairs, bloody school desks,” “This isn’t the time for why; it’s time to take to the streets!” were some of the messages displayed on banners carried through the city alongside red and white candle lanterns.
Thousands of people, in complete silence, without speeches or noise, marched in a loop around Zagreb’s city center. Yesterday, other Croatian cities joined in paying tribute to the deceased student and those injured in the tragic attack, as well as condemning all forms of violence in schools.
Last Friday, a 19-year-old Croatian citizen and resident of Zagreb’s Precko neighborhood, who had been receiving treatment for psychological issues, attacked a teacher and several children attending classes at Precko Elementary School. A 7-year-old first-grade student succumbed to his injuries, while a 62-year-old teacher and several injured students are no longer in life-threatening condition.
Photo: Dnevno.hr
