In the new year, the people of this country kept silent instead of partying, this is the reason…
While the whole world was preparing for the New Year before the year-change on Tuesday night, thousands of people in Serbia were gathering in Belgrade and other cities of Serbia. This crowd demonstrated under the leadership of university students demanding political reform and justice. Demonstrations have been taking place every day in the country since the railway station accident on November 1. People here celebrated the New Year by demonstrating.
On November 1, 15 people were killed when a part of the roof of Novi Sad railway station collapsed. People there are blaming corruption and poor construction in the Serbian government for this incident. After this accident, there has been widespread public outrage across the country and people are demanding the resignation of the government. Something similar was seen on New Year's Eve as well.
Happy new years :)
— makemake (@makemake_kbo) December 31, 2024
Protest in front of the Belgrade faculty of philology pic.twitter.com/OwPq31asMZ
Performed instead of the party in new year
Students from different universities in Belgrade organized New Year's Eve protests under the slogan "There is no new year – you are still like the old year". During the protests, the crowd chanted slogans such as "We want justice", many carried anti-government banners with red paint on their hands. The crowd also observed 15 minutes of silence from 11:52 pm in memory of the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.
Demand for justice despite the festive season
Anti-government protesters stressed that their commitment to demanding justice remains unwavering despite the festive season. The student-led movement has received support from various social groups, including professors, farmers and actors, showing discontent against the government led by autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic.