Hundreds of Serbian students and others staged 15-minute traffic blockades throughout the country on Friday to protest the collapse of a concrete canopy that resulted in the tragic deaths of 15 individuals. The blockades, occurring every Friday at 11:52 a.m., mark the exact time on Nov. 1 when the canopy fell on people outside a railway station building in Novi Sad.
The incident initially claimed 14 lives, with another person succumbing to injuries later in the hospital. Many Serbians attribute the collapse to corruption and substandard renovation work on the railway station, which had undergone multiple renovations in recent years as part of projects involving Chinese state companies.
Thirteen individuals, including a government minister, have been arrested in connection with the collapse, though public skepticism remains high following the minister's subsequent release. The government's decision to extend school winter holidays earlier than scheduled has been viewed as an attempt to quell student protests challenging President Aleksandar Vucic's leadership.
University classes across Serbia have been suspended as students continue to protest inside faculty buildings, with high school students increasingly joining the movement. The demonstrations reflect broader discontent with Vucic's rule, characterized by accusations of autocracy and limitations on democratic freedoms.
Political tensions have escalated, with occasional violence erupting as pro-government groups attempt to disrupt the protests. In a recent incident, opposition leader Dragan Djilas reportedly clashed with members of the ruling party, resulting in injuries that required hospital treatment.
Support for the student protests has been widespread, with backing from professors, actors, lawyers, farmers, and other prominent figures. Tennis star Novak Djokovic has indirectly expressed support for the students, though without explicit mention of the protests or their demands.
Students and farmers are planning a large rally in Belgrade on Sunday to further amplify their voices. President Vucic initially dismissed the protests as financially motivated, while also accusing opposition parties of exploiting children for political gain.
