Serbia on its feet again, Vučić also commented

(Patria) - Across Serbia, tributes were held today for those who died in the canopy collapse in Novi Sad, and protest marches were organized in several cities.

Participants in the blockade near the Bridge of Liberty in Novi Sad paid tribute to the victims of the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station with fifteen minutes of silence, continuing a 24-hour protest, during which a plenum with citizens is scheduled for 3 PM.

After meeting with the creators of the show "Mentalno razgibavanje" (Mental Gymnastics), and a musical and spoken program, a group cleaning action was announced for 2 PM, and at 3 PM, the plenum with citizens, who are already gathering, should begin.

Students of the Faculty of Agriculture, pupils of Zemun Gymnasium, and citizens today from 11:52 AM to 12:07 PM, by blocking traffic at Aviatičarski trg (Aviators' Square), paid tribute to the victims of the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, which killed 15 people.

The blockade, which also included many parents with small children, was secured by traffic police, who stopped traffic in all directions about a hundred meters away.

Blockade participants allowed one car to pass, whose driver said they were taking a seriously injured person to the Emergency Center.

Belgrade students paid tribute to the victims of the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station with fifteen minutes of silence, blocking traffic at the intersection near the technical faculties on Bulevar kralja Aleksandra (King Alexander Boulevard), and they were joined by employees of Apoteke Beograd (Belgrade Pharmacies), who had protested earlier near London.

Citizens also joined the students and pharmacists.

Protest participants carried a banner with a large red hand, which has become a symbol of protests demanding accountability for the deaths of 15 people in the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station.

Employees of the company Apoteke Beograd had earlier blocked traffic at the intersection of Kneza Miloša and Kralja Milana, protesting the situation in that company.

Students across cities in Serbia continue with protests and blockades of faculty and rectorate buildings due to the tragedy at the Main Railway Station in Novi Sad, where 15 people died due to the collapse of a concrete canopy. Students are demanding accountability from those responsible for the event.

Today, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, also commented after the mass protests in Novi Sad, sending a message to all citizens of Serbia, as well as political entities.

In an address on Instagram, Vučić thanked all citizens, regardless of whether they support or do not support the citizens' protests.

"I want to thank everyone, those who participated in the protests, but also the vast number of those who disagree with the content of the protests. Who calmly and patiently waited for the conclusion and end of the demonstrations. This is a very important lesson for all of us. Because we have preserved peace, stability, and hope for the future," said Vučić.

He stated that he expects talks with professors and university representatives to begin as soon as possible.

"Talks with professors should start as soon as possible, and no one should avoid their responsibility, they should understand that dialogue is healing and that solutions can only be reached through dialogue," he explained.

Vučić described the protests, which have been ongoing for weeks in Novi Sad, Belgrade, and other cities across Serbia, as events that do not properly pay tribute to those who died in Novi Sad.

He also emphasized that he is "absolutely unwavering in his conviction that Serbia can and must have only a Serbian government".

- If that is even possible. If not, then it is time for new elections. We do not need governments imposed from the outside and governments dictated without elections and without the will of the people. And I will remain firm, I will remain strong for you, the citizens of Serbia, because you elected me and I will never give up on a successful and progressive Serbia - said Vučić.