14/03/2025
Student-led Protests in Serbia Continue to Grow
Historically Large Protests are Sparking Hope, Strengthening Empathy and Connecting Generations
How did this all start?
More than four months have passed since the collapse of the canopy at the newly renovated railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people. Citizens across Serbia continue to hold peaceful protests demanding accountability from those responsible for the tragedyāpublic officials and those involved in the stationās renovation.
Since November of last year students began organizing 15-minutes traffic blockades and 15-minutes of silence in front of universities in Novi Sad, Belgrade, NiÅ” and Kragujevac to honor the victims and urge institutions to pursue justice. The demonstrations continued to grow as more and more people joined the crossroad blockades and gathered in cities across Serbia.
A new phase of protest unraveled after an incident in front of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, where peacefully protesting students were physically attacked by a group of people later identified as affiliates of the ruling party. This incident, along with continued repression have prompted student blockades of state universities across the country. Protesters have published formal demands, primarily calling for the release of all procurement documents related to the stationās renovation and the prosecution of those responsible for attacking students and inciting violence.
What began as anti-corruption protests demanding transparency have evolved into a nationwide movement raising awareness of broader government corruption and the lack of independence within key institutions, including the Supreme Public Prosecutor, the judiciary, and Serbian state TV. These concerns have become increasingly evident due to public officialsā violations of jurisdiction and the constitution. Student support grew further when high school students joined the protests, leading to class suspensions in several high schools across Belgrade and other cities. Many elementary schools also participated in suspensions of work.
By the end of December 2024, approximately 100,000 demonstrators filled Slavija Square in Belgrade marking one of the largest protests in the history of our country. One month later, students initiated a 24-hour blockade at the Auto-komanda, the main intersection in downtown Belgrade. This intensified pressure, culminating in Prime Minister MiloÅ” VuÄeviÄās resignation the next day. Mass gatherings continued across the countryāall three bridges in Novi Sad were blocked, and protesters were joined by students who marched from Belgrade on foot.
Subsequent demonstrations gained more momentum, such as the 15-hour student protest in Kragujevac on Serbian National Day, attended by tens of thousands, and a rally in NiÅ” that drew over 100,000 people. Students from various cities embarked on multi-day marches to Kragujevac and NiÅ”, demonstrating solidarity and raising awareness for their cause. Along the way, they were warmly welcomed by residents of small towns, who provided food, water, and accommodation. These interactions allowed students to directly inform local communities, countering limited media freedom and government propaganda prevalent in national TV stations and tabloids. The protests saw teachers, farmers, artists, lawyers, pensioners and workers unite under the same cause.
To this day, university faculties remain under student blockade and protests continue to grow as studentsā demands remain unmet.
