Nationwide Street Blockades Grow Despite Mass Arrests and Police Repression

For a week, street blockades and other acts of civil disobedience have broken out throughout Serbia. In Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, and other cities, citizens have been blocking intersections and major roads to demand that the government hold snap parliamentary elections. In response, the police have been beating and arresting students and citizens alike – further fueling outrage and raising the stakes of a movement that shows no signs of backing down.

For a week, street blockades and other acts of civil disobedience have broken out throughout Serbia. In Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, and other cities, citizens have been blocking intersections and major roads to demand that the government hold snap parliamentary elections. In response, the police have been beating and arresting students and citizens alike – further fueling outrage and raising the stakes of a movement that shows no signs of backing down.

Belgrade’s Mass Protest and the Clashes that Followed: A Recap of Events

The student protest on St. Vitus Day, a significant national and religious holiday in Serbia, was held on Saturday in Belgrade. 140,000 people joined while supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party gathered in their counter protest in Pionirski Park. Here's a breakdown of what followed.

The student protest on St. Vitus Day, a significant national and religious holiday in Serbia, was held on Saturday in Belgrade. 140,000 people joined while supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party gathered in their counter protest in Pionirski Park. Here’s a breakdown of what followed.