Protests in several Serbian cities after clashes in Novi Sad

(Patria) - Students and citizens in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Niš, and Prokuplje took to the streets tonight in response to a clash that occurred the previous day during an anti-government protest in Novi Sad, in which, according to organizers, at least three demonstrators were injured.

Residents of Novi Sad gathered in front of the Serbian National Theatre, on Pozorišni trg, as previously announced on the Instagram page Zborovi Novog Sada.

This gathering was organized as a reaction to yesterday's incidents when a group of men in black, whom students claim are SNS supporters, physically attacked students in front of the Serbian National Theatre, while the police did not react at first.

Footage published on social media shows demonstrators, including journalists, being punched, pushed, and knocked down.

"For almost 15 months, students have been leading the fight for all of us, for everyone. They were hit with cars, sticks, fists... Last night, criminals were sent after them, distorted by hatred, armed with party blessings, who beat their heads in front of a blind and deaf police force.

No one can protect the students except the citizens. Today we are gathering to show the students that we still exist, that we are here for them. That we are ready to put our backs on the line to protect theirs," the announcement from Zborovi Novog Sada states.

The residents of Novi Sad then proceeded with a protest march through the city center.

At 7:26 PM, it was announced that the gathering in Novi Sad had officially ended, and citizens were invited to gather again tomorrow at 1 PM on the campus of the University of Novi Sad to support the protest of independent faculty unions.

During yesterday's events in Novi Sad, rallies of anti-government demonstrators – led by students in blockade – and supporters of the authorities gathered in front of the Serbian National Theatre for a ceremonial academy marking the 200th anniversary of Matica Srpska were held simultaneously in the city center, separated by police cordons.

In the presence of strong police forces, several hundred supporters of the ruling party gathered in front of the theatre, where they chanted messages of support for the President of Serbia. According to eyewitnesses, at one point, a group of these men rushed at the students and journalists.

"I saw one young man being hit in the head, a girl being knocked to the ground and kicked. They were beating them for quite some time," one eyewitness told RSE.

The incidents come at a time when anti-government protests, initiated after the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which killed 16 people, have been ongoing for over 15 months.

Students are demanding early elections and accountability from the authorities, while the President of Serbia and the SNS deny responsibility and announce counter-rallies that have not yet taken place.

Students and citizens also gathered at the First Basic Court on Bulevar Nikole Tesle in New Belgrade to express their revolt over the events in Novi Sad. They blocked Bulevar Nikole Tesle.

Earlier today, citizens protested at that location against the construction of an aquarium, which they claim is controversial because it will effectively take away Ušće Park from the citizens.

A gathering was also held tonight in Niš, Pirot, and Prokuplje. Residents of Niš are marching to the police station in that city.

"Don't turn away, we are the people, you should protect us... Not criminals, thugs, enforcers, but the people," said a member of Zborovi.