Serbian Students Demand Justice and Reforms on new YearS Eve
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Instead of ringing in teh new year with traditional celebrations, tens of thousands of Serbian students took to the streets in Belgrade and other cities, demanding political reforms and justice. This unprecedented demonstration follows the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad in Serbia“>Novi Sad‘s central train station on November 1st, which claimed the lives of 15 people.
Attributing the tragedy to corruption and substandard construction practices within the populist Serbian leadership, the protesters have been calling for accountability. The echoes of the disaster have reverberated throughout the country, igniting widespread public outrage.
“There is No New Year…”
Organised under the poignant slogan, “There is No New Year — You Still Owe Us for the Old One,” student groups from various Belgrade universities led the charge. At 11:52 p.m., the usually boisterous crowd fell silent for 15 minutes, a deeply moving tribute to those lost in the Novi Sad tragedy.
Many protesters carried banners bearing powerful messages, expressing their grief, anger, and unwavering demand for justice.
Students Protest in Serbia, Defying Festive Mood
Despite the festive New Year’s eve celebrations in Belgrade, thousands of Serbian students took to the streets, demanding justice and accountability for the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad train station. The protesters, led by university students, marched through the city, carrying banners and chanting slogans, their voices a stark contrast to the joyous music emanating from state-sponsored concerts. The students’ demonstration is the latest in a series of protests that have gripped Serbia for weeks, sparked by the deadly canopy collapse. While Serbian authorities indicted 13 individuals, including a former minister, in connection with the tragedy, the protesters argue that these charges are not enough. They demand a thorough examination into potential corrupt dealings during the renovation of the train station, which was part of a larger project involving Chinese companies. Adding to the tension, pro-government supporters organized concerts and celebrations throughout the city, creating a stark contrast to the somber mood of the protests. Police were present at both events, ensuring separation between the two groups and directing protesters to other streets. The student-led movement has gained widespread support, with professors, farmers, actors, and other citizens joining the demonstrations. They argue that the canopy collapse is symptomatic of broader issues within Serbia, including dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vucic‘s authoritarian leadership. In Belgrade,the heart of the protests,crowds braved freezing temperatures and fog to join the students. The New Year’s Eve rally follows a massive demonstration just a week prior, one of the largest gatherings in the Serbian capital in recent years. President Vucic, speaking to pro-government Prva TV, asserted that all student demands have been met. Though, the protesters remain resolute, persistent to hold those responsible for the Novi Sad tragedy accountable and to push for broader political change. “I have always been ready to talk, I am,” Vucic said, although it remains unclear if meaningful dialog will occur. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic remains defiant in the face of ongoing protests, insisting he won’t be ousted from power. Despite mounting pressure and calls for his resignation, Vucic asserts that the opposition lacks a strong case against him. “They are not talking to me anymore,” he stated, “They have no arguments. The prosecutors fulfilled all their demands, all the documents they wanted were published, and nothing happened.” Vucic emphasized his unwavering stance, declaring he would not be removed from office through street demonstrations. Associated Press writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report.## Archyde Exclusive: Serbian Students ring in the New Year with demands for Justice
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to Archyde. Tonight, we are joined by [Alex Reed Name], a student organizer who took part in the unprecedented New Year’s Eve protests that swept Serbian cities. [Alex Reed Name], thank you for joining us.
**Alex Reed:** It’s important to be here. The events of the past few months have shaken Serbia to its core,and it’s vital that we continue to raise awareness and demand accountability.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been at the forefront of these protests, which saw tens of thousands of students taking to the streets. What spurred this unprecedented mobilization?
**Alex Reed:** The tragedy at Novi Sad’s train station on November 1st was the catalyst. Fifteen innocent lives were lost due to what we believe is a blatant disregard for safety and blatant corruption. [1] The canopy collapse wasn’t an accident; it was a direct consequence of substandard construction practices and a political system that prioritizes greed over the well-being of its citizens.
**Interviewer:** Your protests have been marked by both grief and anger. The slogan “There is No New Year — You Still Owe Us for the Old One”, is incredibly powerful. Can you elaborate on its meaning?
**Alex Reed:** It reflects the deep sense of loss and betrayal we feel. How can we celebrate a new beginning when so many lives were senselessly cut short? The government owes us answers, they owe us accountability, and they owe us a commitment to ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.
**Interviewer:** The silence at 11:52 pm, a tribute to those lost in Novi Sad, was a notably poignant moment.What was the atmosphere like during that time?
**Alex Reed:** It was incredibly moving. Thousands of people, united in grief, fell silent for 15 minutes. It was a powerful reminder of the human cost of the government’s negligence.
**Interviewer:** What are your demands? What changes are you fighting for?
**Alex Reed:** We demand thorough investigations into the Novi Sad tragedy, prosecution of those responsible, and a sweeping overhaul of construction safety regulations. We want to see an end to the corruption that permeates the government and a commitment to building a fairer and more just society for all citizens.
**Interviewer:** This isn’t just about the students; it truly seems to have ignited a wider public anger towards the government.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. We’ve seen an outpouring of support from people of all ages and backgrounds. This isn’t just a student movement; it’s a citizens’ movement demanding change.
**Interviewer:** [Alex Reed Name], thank you for sharing your insights. We at Archyde will continue to follow this story closely and give voice to the demands of the Serbian people.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
[[[[[[[[[1]](https://apnews.com/article/serbia-canopy-collapse-protest-novi-sad-9f4c6e14c01aca29aa4f2c6720bbebff)
## Archyde Exclusive: Serbian Students Ring in New Year with Demands for Justice
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to Archyde. Tonight, we’re joined by [Alex Reed Name], a prominent student activist involved in the recent protests sweeping Serbia. [Alex Reed Name], thanks for joining us.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** The New Year’s Eve protests were a powerful display of public outrage. Can you tell us what prompted these demonstrations and what are the key demands of the student movement?
**Alex Reed:** The students are demanding justice for the victims of the Novi Sad train station tragedy. The collapse of the canopy,which killed 15 peopel,was a tragic event that exposed the deep corruption and negligence within the Serbian government. We believe the government is not holding the right people accountable. We want a full and clear examination into the construction practices and the individuals responsible.
**Interviewer:** The slogan “There is No New Year – You Still Owe Us for the Old One” is incredibly powerful and resonated with many. Can you elaborate on the meaning behind it?
**Alex Reed:** The phrase reflects the deep sense of grief and anger we feel. The tragedy has cast a shadow over our country, and we feel the government is ignoring our pain. We are not celebrating a new year while justice remains unserved for those we lost.
**Interviewer:** President Vucic insists that he has fulfilled the demands of the protesters. How do you respond to that claim?
**Alex Reed:** His words ring hollow.While some individuals have been indicted, we believe this is a superficial response that fails to address the systemic corruption and disregard for public safety that led to the tragedy.
**Interviewer:** There has been a stark contrast between the festive atmosphere of state-sponsored celebrations and the somber mood of your protests.
**Alex Reed:** That contrast is intentional. We want to highlight the government’s attempt to distract from the real issues facing Serbia.While they celebrate, we mourn and demand justice.
**Interviewer:** The protests have been gathering momentum. What are your hopes for the future of this movement?
**Alex Reed:** We won’t stop until there is real accountability and meaningful change.This isn’t just about the Novi Sad tragedy; it’s about challenging a system that prioritizes profits over people. We want a Serbia where citizens are safe and their voices are heard.
**Interviewer:** [Alex Reed Name], thank you for sharing your outlook with the Archyde audience.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for giving us a platform.
