Near-daily student protests started on December 1 in Novi Sad, where 15 people died when a roof collapsed at a railway station, which their critics attribute to Vucic’s corruption.
Sporadic altercations broke out overnight before the rally’s scheduled start time of 4 p.m. (15:00 GMT) in front of the National Assembly, from which protesters will march to Slavija Square. In and around Pionirski Park and across the street, police have deployed hundreds of officers dressed as protesters.
Beginning at 11:52 a.m. (10:52 GMT), hundreds of veterans from elite military brigades who support the students also observed a 15-minute silence in honor of the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy at the time the roof collapsed.
Some protesters carried banners that read, “He’s Finished,” in reference to Vucic. In addition to the four months of student-led demonstrations, students chanted, “Pump it up.”
“We arrived to enforce justice.” Before the demonstration, Belgrade biology student Milica Stojanovic told the AFP news agency, “I hope that things will change.”
While the gathering on Saturday is expected to be largely peaceful, a car struck a column of protesters on Friday night in the Zarkovo suburb, killing three people who were being taken by police.
A group of men attacked a student and a university lecturer in central Belgrade early on Saturday, according to police.
According to them, three people were also taken into custody after an overnight attack on tractors in Pionirski Park.
Students urged those attending the rally to behave “in a calm and responsible manner” in statements released on social media on Saturday.
One statement read, “The purpose of this movement is not to attack those who do not think as we do.” This action must not be taken in vain.
Students claimed they moved a stage from the front of the planned protest to Slavija Square, which is located about 1 km (0, 6 miles) away from the National Assembly building in an effort to lower the tensions.
Serbian prosecutors have so far indict at least 13 people for the Novi Sad collapse, and the government has launched an anti-corruption campaign. Two other ministers and prime ministers have also left.
However, the days leading up to Saturday’s rally have seen increased pressure.
The students are alleged to be planning a “coup,” according to increasingly harsh accusations made by government-backed media. Vucic himself once claimed that the demonstrators were planning “large-scale violence.”
While some student protesters said they would continue to rally until their demands for greater accountability are met, Vucic has warned of a “final” showdown on Saturday.
Vucic addressed demonstrators on Friday, promising to not back down in the face of widespread protests.
In a nationally broadcast speech, Vucic said, “Just to be clear, I will not be pressured.”
“I’m the president of Serbia, and I’m against the streets of this country from setting the rules.”
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply