Vidovdan protest against Vučić: Authorities announce repression, students peaceful gathering

(Patria) - In Belgrade today, June 28, on Vidovdan, a new large student protest organized by the group “Students on Blockade” will be held.

Demonstrators are calling for a peaceful gathering and demand the calling of early parliamentary elections by 9 PM, threatening to resort to civil disobedience if their demands are not met.

The gathering is planned for the afternoon in Voždovac, and the procession, according to the announced route, will proceed to Milutin Milanković Park, with the planned end at 5:45 PM at Slavija Square. Students from all over Serbia are expected to attend, as well as a large number of citizens who support them.

This protest is part of an eight-month wave of demonstrations that began after the tragic collapse of the canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad last November, which resulted in 16 deaths. Students are at the forefront of demands for accountability and reform due to what they describe as systemic corruption.

Students have issued an ultimatum to the Serbian Government in an open letter: “The proposal to dissolve the Assembly must be submitted by 9 PM on June 28… Otherwise, we expect citizens to be prepared to use all available measures of civil disobedience”.

Authorities are warning of the possibility of police intervention.

Minister of Police Ivica Dačić announced a full deployment of forces throughout the city and said: “I appeal to everyone for the protest to proceed peacefully… Anyone who commits a criminal offense will be sanctioned”.

The Prime Minister and President expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing that they will not tolerate violence or disruption of public order.

Students, however, plan a ritual to honor the victims during the protest – a minute or more of silence, symbolically linked to the time of the canopy's collapse.