Nationwide rallies by Progressives against blockades and anti-government protests

(Patria) - Supporters of the government, at the invitation of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), gathered today in several cities and towns to oppose anti-government protests and blockades that have been ongoing for over nine months across Serbia.

Rallies were organized in Vršac, Pančevo, Loznica, Vranje, and Leskovac, among other places, reports RSE. Those gathered in Vršac, at a rally secured by police, carried Serbian flags and banners reading "I want my Serbia back," "I want to move freely," "I want to learn."

Invitations to the gatherings were shared on social media by SNS officials, including some mayors and municipal presidents.

"They stole my normal life. They attack my home. I want peace. I want to work. I want to move. I want to learn. I want my Serbia back. Fight - against the blockade," the post stated.

SNS leader Miloš Vučević also called for gatherings "across Serbia," stating that citizens are "raising their heads" because they are tired of blockades.

At the same time, students leading the anti-government protests called on citizens not to go out on the streets during these rallies, not to clash, and not to participate in this "show." They accused the government of "bringing in people from outside to present a staged picture of the 'people'" and of wanting to "provoke incidents."

The same appeal was made by citizens gathered in informal assemblies, who urged citizens to ignore the government-called rallies and to "stay away from suspicious individuals and not fall into a trap."

"They want to cause unrest, conflicts, for someone to get hurt, to say that we are violent," stated posts on several Instagram accounts.

During anti-government protests in the past week, there have been incidents and clashes between police and supporters of the ruling SNS and demonstrators.

The daily gatherings of demonstrators are a reaction to protests in the Vojvodinian towns of Vrbas and Bačka Palanka on August 12, when government supporters attacked demonstrators with pyrotechnics.

The police's actions that day also caused outrage, with demonstrators accusing them of doing nothing to prevent the attacks.

Government representatives accuse the demonstrators of violence, claiming that the police are only preventing conflicts.

On the other hand, participants in the anti-government protests accuse the police of brutality and the government of provoking conflicts and violence.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on August 17 that the state would implement "surprising decisions" in the next "three or four days" in response to anti-government protests, without providing further details.

For over nine months, protests have been ongoing in Serbia, primarily demanding accountability for the deaths of 16 people in the collapse of the canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad.

Students leading the protests have also added a demand for early parliamentary elections. They believe this is an inevitable step because "the state has done nothing to ensure accountability for the accident."

At the same time, the government refuses to call early elections.