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Revision as of 22:16, 13 December 2024 editMrFool Mapping (talk | contribs)43 edits Creation of the page 2024 Novi Sad riots regarding the recent riots taking placea fter the canopy collapse at the novi sad railway stationTag: Visual edit  Latest revision as of 13:33, 3 January 2025 edit undoASaltzman (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users573 edits →January 
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{{Infobox civil conflict {{Short description|2024 protests in Serbia}}{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2024 Novi Sad Riots | title = 2024–2025 Serbian anti-corruption protests
| date = 3 November 2024 – present
| image = 2024 Mass Protest In Novi Sad.jpg
| place = ]
| caption = Mass Protest in Novi Sad on the 5th of November 2024
* ]
| date = 1st November 2024 - Present
| causes = *]
| place = Novi Sad (Supportive protests in Belgrade, Niš, Kragujevac, and other cities)
*]
| causes = 2024 Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse
| goals = *Justice for victims of the railway station collapse
*Accountability for government negligence
*Publishing of all documents released to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station
*Resignation of ]
| methods = {{Plainlist|
*Demonstrations
*]
*]
*]}}
| concessions = *Resignation of Goran Vesić
*Resignation of ]
*Some documents released to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station published
| status = Ongoing
| side1 = ''']'''
* ''']
'''Government parties'''
* ''']
* ''']
| side2 = '''Anti-government protesters'''
*Students
*Education workers
*Citizens
*Farmers (since 13 December)
*Lawyers
*Postal workers
*Actors and filmmakers
| leadfigures1 = *]
*]
| leadfigures2 = ''no centralised leadership''
| howmany1 = ''Unknown''
| howmany2 = 100,000 in ]<ref>{{cite web|title= Archive of public meetings: The largest protest ever held in Serbia, about 100.000 citizens gathered in Slavija|url=https://en.vijesti.me/world-a/balkan/738081/arhiv-javnih-skupova-najveci-protest-ikad-odrzan-u-srbiji-na-slaviji-se-okupilo-oko-100-000-gradjana|website=Vijesti|accessdate=2024-12-23|date=2024-12-24}}</ref>
22,000 in ]<ref>{{cite web|title= Archive of public meetings on Novi Sad protest|url=https://javniskupovi.org/index.php/2024/11/05/protest-u-novom-sadu-zbog-nadstresnice/a|website=Archive of public meetings in Serbia|accessdate=2024-12-31|date=2024-12-31}}</ref>
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
}}


In November 2024, a series of mass protests began in ] following the ] in the city, which left 15 people dead and two severely injured.
Demonstrator claim: Police brutality and rigged elections
| goals = Justice for victims of the railway station collapse


Blockades of educational facilities initially started on 22 November at the ] after students were attacked during a silent tribute to the victims of the 1 November incident. After the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, other faculties and high schools soon followed. In addition to other demonstrations, protesters have held the weekly "'''Stop, Serbia'''" ({{Lang-sr-Cyrl-Latn|Застани, Србијо|Zastani, Srbijo}}) ], conducted from 11:52 AM, the time on which the canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, to 12:08 PM, in order to symbolically mark the 15 lives lost in the disaster.
Accountability for government negligence


== Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse ==
Police reform
{{Main|Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse}}
On 1 November 2024, the canopy of the ] ], killing 15 people and leaving 2 others with non-critical injuries. The collapse shocked the nation, with many questioning the structural integrity and maintenance oversight of public infrastructure. Authorities launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, but public frustration grew due to perceived delays and lack of accountability in the response.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=2024-12-22 |title=Serbian schools to close early for winter break amid anti-corruption protests |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/22/serbia-schools-closure-winter-holidays-protests-novi-sad |access-date=2024-12-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


== Protests ==
Improved public infrastructure


=== November ===
Economic reforms
Early protests primarily took the form of quiet vigils for victims of the collapse.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=Why people are protesting over a deadly roof collapse in Serbia |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-roof-collapse-china-protests-3cfa282938b1ddec12c4795b9ecb3e95 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> However, these protests began to morph into larger and angrier demonstrations, with demonstrators accusing police and local authorities of negligence and ]. Protesters began demanding a transparent investigation into the collapse, and the release of documents related to the incident. The ] suggested that the collapse has also served as a flash point for expressions of dissatisfaction with the Serbian government as a whole.<ref name=":3" />


Some demonstrations escalated into acts of vandalism, with the ] being a primary target.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title= Police fire tear gas at protest over deadly canopy collapse in Serbia|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOspIMZdnb0 |website=YouTube| date=10 November 2024 }}</ref> Red paint was thrown on the city hall entrance and attempts were made to breach the building.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Police fire tear gas at protest over deadly canopy collapse in Serbia |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-canopy-collapse-protest-novi-sad-9f4c6e14c01aca29aa4f2c6720bbebff |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Anti-government protesters blame rampant corruption for roof crash that killed 14 people in Serbia |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-roof-collapse-protest-vucic-3b095359268663a4ea77eec0cada6e7b |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Serbian Protesters Clash with Police over Deadly Railway Station Collapse &#124; DRM News &#124; AC11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMmshUVPkpU |website=YouTube| date=21 November 2024 }}</ref> Law enforcement responded with tear gas and arrests, further inflaming tensions. Protesters suggested that these and other violent demonstrations were the result of government plants seeking to derail the protests.
Resignation of Milan Đorđević


On 22 November, students and professors of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts gathered in the immediate vicinity of the Faculty to pay homage to the deaths in Novi Sad. The meeting was reported to the authorities, at which both the students and the professors were attacked by an organized group.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Milovanović |first=Tanja |date=2024-12-18 |title=Identifikovani nasilnici koji su napadali studente i novinare ispred FDU: Među njima Milija Koldžić i ostali aktivisti i funkcioneri SNS |url=https://nova.rs/vesti/hronika/identifikovani-nasilnici-koji-su-napadali-studente-i-novinare-ispred-fdu-medju-nima-milija-koldzic-i-ostali-aktivisti-i-funkcioneri-sns/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=NOVA portal |language=sr-RS}}</ref> Some members of the group were allegedly high-ranking officials of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.<ref name=":7" /> After the attack on 25 November, the students began an occupation of the faculty in protest. The Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, joined by the ], the ], the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the ] in Belgrade, followed shortly after.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanković |first=Radmila |date=2024-12-06 |title=Počelo na FDU: Studenti drže čas |url=https://radar.nova.rs/politika/fakulteti-blokade-fdu-nesreca-u-novom-sadu/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Radar |language=sr-RS}}</ref>
Resignation of Aleksandar Petrović


One November demonstration in Novi Sad drew 20,000 protesters, making it the largest protest in the city in decades.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Delauney |first=Guy |date=2024-11-21 |title=Fury at Novi Sad station tragedy prompts Serbia to make first arrests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0qdyg8yn5yo |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Demonstrators have held weekly 15-minute traffic blockade protests on Fridays at 11:52 AM, the time of the collapse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=Protesters in Serbia hold 15-minute blockade for 15 victims of roof collapse, demanding justice |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-roof-collapse-protest-novi-sad-station-76c599b237a4e3052039f0c3b1bfde2f |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Cars, some of whose occupants are allegedly affiliated with the SNS, have struck protesters during these blockades.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Gec |first=Jovana |date=2024-12-13 |title=Traffic blockades held throughout Serbia against populist government over roof collapse tragedy |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-silent-protest-roof-collapse-vucic-1b15a948ccf284407ec7c91f53def487 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=Car rams and injures orchestral musicians in Belgrade during a protest over station roof collapse |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-roof-collapse-protest-belgrade-orchestra-musicians-6180768fac904818cd2b5fd0b8b342d0 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
Resignation of Jelena Marković


=== December ===
Resignation of Dragan Vasić
On 1 December, a silent march was held in Novi Sad to commemorate one month since the collapse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-01 |title=Thousands march in Serbia to mark 1 month since roof collapse killed 15 people |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-march-in-serbia-to-mark-1-month-since-roof-collapse-killed-15-people/7883125.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>


By early December, Serbian students had begun organizing 24-hour blockades at some school campuses.<ref name=":6" /> By mid-December, more than 50 university campuses (including the three biggest universities of ], ] and ]) and multiple secondary schools had suspended classes due to student protests.<ref name=":2" />
Resignation of Radovan Ilić


On 11 December, students demonstrated at the headquarters of the public television station ], for their broadcasting of President Aleksandar Vučić's claims that demonstrators are being funded by Western countries who seek to destabilize Serbia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Protesters hold a noisy demonstration against Serbia's populist leadership |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-protest-roof-collapse-students-d5fefbb6efdefc5ecc76ce4fdb34dfbb |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Serbian students rally against government, refute claims of Western funding |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/12/13/serbian-students-rally-against-government-refute-claims-of-western-funding |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Euronews}}</ref> The same day, Vučić made concessions including promising that all prosecutorial documents related to the disaster would be publicized, announced that all currently held protesters were released, and pledged to pardon any protesters if they were convicted at trial. While the concessions marked the first time since Vučić's rise to power in 2012 that any concessions were made to protesters, they did not include the protest's calls for his resignation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 2024 |title=Serbia's Vucic promises to meet protesters' demands after train station disaster |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/serbias-vucic-promises-meet-protesters-demands-after-train-station-disaster-2024-12-11/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=]}}</ref>
Resignation of Ana Brnabić


On 13 December, farmers in central Serbia blocked a road with tractors. <ref name=":2" />
Resignation of Aleksandar Vučić
| methods = Marches through city streets


On 20 December, the silent protest was one minute longer to commemorate one victim from ] in Croatia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studenti kod Vuka zastali na 16 minuta, odali poštu i detetu stradalom u Zagrebu |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/studenti-kod-vuka-zastali-na-16-minuta-odali-postu-i-detetu-stradalom-u-zagrebu/ |website=N1 |access-date=2 January 2025 |language=sr-RS |date=21 December 2024}}</ref>
Confrontations with law enforcement


In response to ] and alleged paid ] that have attacked civilians and protesters, opposition leaders, students, farmers and independent demonstrators organized a large-scale protest on 22 December, at ] in Belgrade.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Serbia: Farmers and students plan to protest in central Belgrade on Dec. 22 |url=https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/12/serbia-farmers-and-students-plan-to-protest-in-central-belgrade-on-dec-22 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Crisis24 |language=en}}</ref> The estimated attendance was between 100,000 and 102,000 people, which marks the biggest protest in Belgrade and Serbia by attendance in recorded history.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=23 December 2024 |title=Massive protest rally held in Belgrade |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/massive-protest-rally-held-in-belgrade/ |work=N1 }}</ref>
Graffiti with anti-government messages


On 25 December, people have gathered and brought 1000 letter to the office of the public prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac urging her to "start doing her job". <ref>{{cite web |title=Students deliver 1,000 letters to office of Serbian supreme public prosecutor |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/students-deliver-1000-letters-to-office-of-serbian-supreme-public-prosecutor/ |website=N1 |date=25 December 2024}}</ref>
Vandalism of public property


Similar to the ], silent protests in Belgrade and Novi Sad were held on New Year's Eve, but this time from 11:52 PM to 00:07 AM. According to some estimations, between 17,000 and 18,000 were in Belgrade, while between 4600 and 6000 were in Novi Sad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/aopg-17000-18000-join-new-year-s-eve-protest-in-belgrade/ |title=17,000-18,000 join New Year’s Eve protest in Belgrade|work=N1|date=31 December 2024}}</ref>
Throwing red paint, rocks and even manule
| status = Ongoing
| side1 = Republic of Serbia ]


===January===
Government of Serbia ]
On 2 January, the 15 minutes of silence were extended to 29: additional 12 for the people killed in ] in Montenegro on December 31, and two for the victims killed in ] on January 1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent protest extended in memory of 14 people murdered in Serbia, Montenegro |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/silent-protest-extended-in-memory-of-14-people-murdered-in-serbia-montenegro/ |website=N1 |access-date=2 January 2025 |date=2 January 2025}}</ref> The action was repeated on 3 January in Novi Sad at the blokade of the ] and in other cities.<ref>{{cite web |title=(VIDEO) Akcija "29 minuta za 29 žrtava": U Novom Sadu i minut tišine za dete iz Zagreba, odata pošta i za stradale u Arilju i na Cetinju |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/u-toku-akcija-29-minuta-odavanja-poste-za-stradale-u-novom-sadu-arilju-i-na-cetinju/ |website=N1 |access-date=3 January 2025 |language=sr-RS |date=3 January 2025}}</ref>


=== Symbols ===
Police of Serbia
]
| side2 = Alliance for Serbia:
A common protester slogan has been "corruption kills".<ref name=":1" /> Protest symbols have included red handprints with the caption "your hands are bloody", referring to the authorities and ruling politicians, and bleeding doves, with the dove being one of the symbols of Novi Sad.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-17 |title=A woman who was injured in a deadly roof collapse in Serbia has died, bringing death toll to 15 |url=https://apnews.com/article/serbia-roof-collapse-victims-protest-novi-sad-fadb61d0ad7466332055ae6b0ab5bcd4 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

New Democratic Party of Serbia ]

Social Democratic Party

People’s Party

Free Citizens’ Movement

Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia

Independent demonstrators
| leadfigures1 = Aleksandar Vučić ]

Ana Brnabić ]

Miloš Vučević ]

Dragan Vasić ]
| leadfigures2 = Miloš Jovanović ]

Dejan Šulkić ]
| howmany1 = 2,000 riot police
2,000 officers
| howmany2 = 20,000+
| casualties1 = 0 dead
13 arrested
15-20 injured
| casualties2 = 3 dead
15 arrested
100-150 injuries
}}


===Domestic support===
The 2024 Novi Sad riots are ongoing riots in Novi Sad, Serbia, sparked by public outrage following a tragic incident in the Novi Sad railway station which left 15 people dead and subsequent political tension. The unrest has led to significant property damage, clashes between protesters and law enforcement, and widespread public concern.
Numerous celebrities have supported the protests including actors ], Jelena Stupljanin, ], ], ], Milena Radulović, Srđan Timarov, Marko Janketić, ], ], ], Pavle Mensur, Anđela Jovanović, Hana Selimović, Nina Janković, ], ], ] and ], rock music artists ], ], ], ], ] and ], hip hop artist and writer ], pop and folk singers ], ], ], ], ], Milan Topalović "Topalko", ], ], ], ], ] and ], influencers such as Veseleen, Fitnes Bliznakinje and Milan Maglov and other media personalities such as television hosts Olivera Kovačević and Jovan Memedovič.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sloboda jača od straha: Sve veći broj javnih ličnosti uz studente, a protest na Slaviji doneo je neka baš velika iznenađenja FOTO |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/poznati-koji-su-podrzali-protest-studenata-na-slaviji/ |website=NOVA portal |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zahvalnost mladosti koja s verom u pravdu i čestitost pokušava stvari da vrati tamo gde pripadaju: YU grupa na koncertu podržala studente (VIDEO) |url=https://www.danas.rs/kultura/yu-grupa-podrzala-studente/ |website=Danas.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=31 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=„Još si mlad, ne daj da te slome“: Generacija 5 objavila pesmu podrške studentima, đacima, profesorima |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/generacija-5-objavila-pesmu-podrske-studentima-djacima-profesorima/ |website=N1info.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=31 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=“Vreme je za pravdu!“: „Čika Koja“ iz Discipline kičme podržao studente |url=https://vreme.com/vesti/vreme-je-za-pravdu-cika-koja-iz-discipline-kicme-podrzao-studente/ |website=Vreme.com |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rambo Amadeus podržao studente i poslao im poruku: „Diktatore stvara udvorička sredina. Držite stalno oči otvorene“ |url=https://nova.rs/vesti/drustvo/rambo-amadeus-podrzao-studente/ |website=Nova.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=9 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bend Atheist Rap posetio studente na blokadi Filozofskog fakulteta u Novom Sadu |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/bend-atheist-rap-posetio-studente-na-blokadi-filozofskog-fakulteta-u-novom-sadu/ |website=N1info.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=30 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Golub iz Goblina: Studenti i đaci, respekt, kažite šta treba – mi, stari, smo tu |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/golub-iz-goblina-studenti-i-djaci-respekt-kazite-sta-treba-mi-stari-smo-tu/ |website=N1info.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=20 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bend Atheist Rap posetio studente na blokadi Filozofskog fakulteta u Novom Sadu |url=https://n1info.rs/vesti/bend-atheist-rap-posetio-studente-na-blokadi-filozofskog-fakulteta-u-novom-sadu/ |website=N1info.rs |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=30 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marčelo studentima u Nišu: „Vi ste poslednja šansa da ne završimo u Orvelovoj 1984.“ |url=https://www.juznevesti.com/drustvo/marcelo-studentima-u-nisu-vi-ste-poslednja-sansa-da-ne-zavrsimo-u-orvelovoj-1984/ |website=Juznevesti.com |access-date=31 December 2024 |language=sr-RS |date=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Režim ima tri jaka oružja kojima disciplinuje estradu dok studenti protestuju |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/rezim-disciplinuje-estradu-dok-studenti-protestuju/ |website=Nova.rs |access-date=1 January 2025 |language=sr-RS |date=25 December 2024}}</ref>


===Serbian diaspora support===
=== Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse ===
Since mid-December protests have been held by Serbian diaspora in several cities around the world. Those include ], ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDhItGooreD/?img_index=1 | title=Instagram }}</ref> ], ], ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ilić |first=Gordana Momčilović |title=Podrška dijaspore srpskim studentima i đacima na protestima |url=https://balkans.aljazeera.net/teme/2024/12/16/podrska-dijaspore-srpskim-studentima-i-djacima-na-protestima |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Al Jazeera Balkans |language=bs}}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDm4nD8oQMi/ | title=Instagram }}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDr_GOyoY33 | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDzSHTyIihP | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDzeABIothA/ | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DD2BAzOICVh | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DD4fdzWor4Z | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DD5LqpjIwM-/ | title=Instagram }}</ref>, ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DEBD9h3IrbP/ | title=Instagram }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DEH-ghkIUXV/ | title=Instagram }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DEM_KAKsDq-/ | title=Instagram }}</ref>
On the 1st of November 2024, a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, killing 15 people and leaving 2 others with non-critical injuries. The collapse shocked the nation, with many questioning the structural integrity and maintenance oversight of public infrastructure. Authorities launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, but public frustration grew due to perceived delays and lack of accountability in the response. Following this incident were days of mourn in Novi Sad, where methods to commemorate those who have died include halting in the city on occasions.


=== Unrest === == References ==
{{Reflist}}
After a few days of mourning, protesters began to demonstrate against police and local authorities, accusing them of negligence and corruption. Demonstrations escalated into acts of vandalism, with the Novi Sad City Hall being a primary target. Windows were shattered, graffiti covered the walls, red paint was thrown on the city hall entrance and attempts were made to breach the building. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and arrests, further inflaming tensions.


{{Protests against Aleksandar Vučić}}
In addition to local concerns, the riots have attracted international attention, with several human rights organizations calling for restraint from law enforcement and an independent investigation into the collapse. Reports suggest that some protesters have begun organizing online, spreading their grievances to a wider audience and potentially gaining solidarity from activists abroad. Meanwhile, local businesses in the affected areas have suffered considerable losses, with many forced to close due to the ongoing instability. The Serbian government has pledged to restore order, but its measures have been met with skepticism, further complicating efforts to bring the situation under control.


]
=== Current status ===
]
The current status of the riots remains tense and unresolved. Protesters continue to gather in large numbers, demanding justice for the victims of the collapse and greater transparency in governance. Police presence in the city has been significantly increased, and there have been sporadic clashes reported. Efforts at dialogue between protest leaders and government officials have so far failed to de-escalate the situation. The long-term implications of these events remain uncertain as the unrest shows no clear signs of abating.
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Latest revision as of 13:33, 3 January 2025

2024 protests in Serbia
2024–2025 Serbian anti-corruption protests
Date3 November 2024 – present
LocationSerbia
Caused by
Goals
  • Justice for victims of the railway station collapse
  • Accountability for government negligence
  • Publishing of all documents released to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station
  • Resignation of Goran Vesić
Methods
StatusOngoing
Concessions
  • Resignation of Goran Vesić
  • Resignation of Tomislav Momirović
  • Some documents released to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station published
Parties

Government of Serbia

Government parties

Anti-government protesters

  • Students
  • Education workers
  • Citizens
  • Farmers (since 13 December)
  • Lawyers
  • Postal workers
  • Actors and filmmakers
Lead figures

no centralised leadership

Number
Unknown

100,000 in Belgrade

22,000 in Novi Sad

In November 2024, a series of mass protests began in Novi Sad following the railway station canopy collapse in the city, which left 15 people dead and two severely injured.

Blockades of educational facilities initially started on 22 November at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts after students were attacked during a silent tribute to the victims of the 1 November incident. After the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, other faculties and high schools soon followed. In addition to other demonstrations, protesters have held the weekly "Stop, Serbia" (Serbian: Застани, Србијо, Zastani, Srbijo) traffic blockades, conducted from 11:52 AM, the time on which the canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, to 12:08 PM, in order to symbolically mark the 15 lives lost in the disaster.

Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse

Main article: Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse

On 1 November 2024, the canopy of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 15 people and leaving 2 others with non-critical injuries. The collapse shocked the nation, with many questioning the structural integrity and maintenance oversight of public infrastructure. Authorities launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, but public frustration grew due to perceived delays and lack of accountability in the response.

Protests

November

Early protests primarily took the form of quiet vigils for victims of the collapse. However, these protests began to morph into larger and angrier demonstrations, with demonstrators accusing police and local authorities of negligence and corruption. Protesters began demanding a transparent investigation into the collapse, and the release of documents related to the incident. The Associated Press suggested that the collapse has also served as a flash point for expressions of dissatisfaction with the Serbian government as a whole.

Some demonstrations escalated into acts of vandalism, with the Novi Sad City Hall being a primary target. Red paint was thrown on the city hall entrance and attempts were made to breach the building. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and arrests, further inflaming tensions. Protesters suggested that these and other violent demonstrations were the result of government plants seeking to derail the protests.

On 22 November, students and professors of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts gathered in the immediate vicinity of the Faculty to pay homage to the deaths in Novi Sad. The meeting was reported to the authorities, at which both the students and the professors were attacked by an organized group. Some members of the group were allegedly high-ranking officials of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. After the attack on 25 November, the students began an occupation of the faculty in protest. The Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, joined by the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, followed shortly after.

One November demonstration in Novi Sad drew 20,000 protesters, making it the largest protest in the city in decades. Demonstrators have held weekly 15-minute traffic blockade protests on Fridays at 11:52 AM, the time of the collapse. Cars, some of whose occupants are allegedly affiliated with the SNS, have struck protesters during these blockades.

December

On 1 December, a silent march was held in Novi Sad to commemorate one month since the collapse.

By early December, Serbian students had begun organizing 24-hour blockades at some school campuses. By mid-December, more than 50 university campuses (including the three biggest universities of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš) and multiple secondary schools had suspended classes due to student protests.

On 11 December, students demonstrated at the headquarters of the public television station RTS, for their broadcasting of President Aleksandar Vučić's claims that demonstrators are being funded by Western countries who seek to destabilize Serbia. The same day, Vučić made concessions including promising that all prosecutorial documents related to the disaster would be publicized, announced that all currently held protesters were released, and pledged to pardon any protesters if they were convicted at trial. While the concessions marked the first time since Vučić's rise to power in 2012 that any concessions were made to protesters, they did not include the protest's calls for his resignation.

On 13 December, farmers in central Serbia blocked a road with tractors.

On 20 December, the silent protest was one minute longer to commemorate one victim from Zagreb school stabbing in Croatia.

In response to police brutality and alleged paid hooligans that have attacked civilians and protesters, opposition leaders, students, farmers and independent demonstrators organized a large-scale protest on 22 December, at Slavija Square in Belgrade. The estimated attendance was between 100,000 and 102,000 people, which marks the biggest protest in Belgrade and Serbia by attendance in recorded history.

On 25 December, people have gathered and brought 1000 letter to the office of the public prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac urging her to "start doing her job".

Similar to the 1996-1997 protests, silent protests in Belgrade and Novi Sad were held on New Year's Eve, but this time from 11:52 PM to 00:07 AM. According to some estimations, between 17,000 and 18,000 were in Belgrade, while between 4600 and 6000 were in Novi Sad.

January

On 2 January, the 15 minutes of silence were extended to 29: additional 12 for the people killed in 2025 Cetinje shootings in Montenegro on December 31, and two for the victims killed in Arilje on January 1. The action was repeated on 3 January in Novi Sad at the blokade of the Varadin Bridge and in other cities.

Symbols

Red handprints with You have blood on your hands! (Serbian: Krvave su vam ruke!) text on the left

A common protester slogan has been "corruption kills". Protest symbols have included red handprints with the caption "your hands are bloody", referring to the authorities and ruling politicians, and bleeding doves, with the dove being one of the symbols of Novi Sad.

Domestic support

Numerous celebrities have supported the protests including actors Tihomir Stanić, Jelena Stupljanin, Gordan Kičić, Nebojša Cile Ilić, Miloš Timotijević, Milena Radulović, Srđan Timarov, Marko Janketić, Slaven Došlo, Katarina Žutić, Svetlana Bojković, Pavle Mensur, Anđela Jovanović, Hana Selimović, Nina Janković, Milan Marić, Predrag Bjelac, Tamara Dragičević and Petar Benčina, rock music artists YU Grupa, Generacija 5, Dušan Kojić "Koja", Rambo Amadeus, Atheist Rap and Goblini, hip hop artist and writer Marčelo, pop and folk singers Seka Aleksić, Sergej Ćetković, Aleksandra Radović, Tijana Dapčević, Ana Kokić, Milan Topalović "Topalko", Lena Kovačević, Sara Jo, Relja Popović, Edita Aradinović, Zorja and Voyage, influencers such as Veseleen, Fitnes Bliznakinje and Milan Maglov and other media personalities such as television hosts Olivera Kovačević and Jovan Memedovič.

Serbian diaspora support

Since mid-December protests have been held by Serbian diaspora in several cities around the world. Those include Zagreb, Rijeka, Paris, Brussels, Ljubljana, Milan, London, Venice, Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Prague, Washington DC,, Chicago, The Hague, and Skopje.

References

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Protests against Aleksandar Vučić
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