(20 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Belgrade – 20 February 2025
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of people marching carrying Serbian flags, whistling
2. SOUNDBITE (Serbian) Dusica Pavicevic, Belgrade resident:
”We are here tonight to support the students above all, and then because these are our ideals that myself, my children, and my family are fighting for, for more than 35 years.”
3. Pan of people blowing whistles and marching
4. SOUNDBITE (Serbian) Milorad Veselinovic, Belgrade resident:
"Of course we will do this until the students’ requests are fulfilled, for a better life one day. For the past 35 years, we have been wandering the streets (protesting) to get a proper state, because we deserve one.”
5. Various of people marching
6. People waving Serbian flags
7. Various of people standing in silence with mobile phone lights lit, to pay respects to victims of roof collapse in Novi Sad
STORYLINE:
Thousands flooded the streets of Serbia’s capital on Thursday in a noisy support rally for protesting university students and their monthslong struggle against corruption and for changes in the Balkan country.
Belgrade residents organized in five columns from various parts of the city before marching to a key intersection where striking students have been holding their daily protest blockades for more than two months.
Students have faced attacks during the blockades and pressure from the populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic who has accused them of working under orders from abroad and against Serbia’s interests.
With their demand for justice over a canopy collapse that killed 15 people in November, striking students have garnered huge backing among the citizens who are disillusioned with politicians and have lost trust in state institutions.
Student rallies have drawn tens of thousands of people from all walks of life, becoming a challenge for Vucic’s firm grip on power in Serbia.
A next big rally is planned for March 1 in the southern city of Nis.
Deafening noise echoed through central Belgrade on Thursday evening as protesters blew whistles and chanted ‘Pump it up!., which is a rallying call of the student protests.
Many people brought along pets and children despite very cold weather.
Upon arrival at the planned meeting point, the protesters went silent for 15 minutes to honor the 15 victims of the canopy collapse on Nov. 1 in the northern city of Novi Sad.
The huge concrete construction at the outer wall of the train station building in Novi Sad crashed down on people without warning and after it was renovated twice in recent years.
Many in Serbia believe that government corruption has led to sloppy renovation work and disrespect of construction and safety regulations.
The renovation work was part of a wider infrastructure project with Chinese state companies.
AP Video shot by Ivana Bzganovic
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