Photo: Katarina StevanovićThe fifteen-hour protest in Kragujevac called "Let's meet at Sretenje", the culmination of a four-day student march, ended with a fifteen-minute silence. Citizens flocked to Kragujevac from all over Serbia, with one demand: the rule of law
At 15 p.m., students and citizens block Lepenački boulevard in Kragujevac, the first modern capital of Serbia, where the Sretenjski Constitution was adopted on February 15, 1835. The protest called "Let's meet at Sretenje" is the culmination of the student march to Kragujevac, which marked the past week.
"Vremen" reporters followed the entire protest live from Kragujevac. The day passed in a happy and lively atmosphere, and the streets of Kragujevac were filled with the famous "Pump!". The cleaning of the streets began at 22 p.m., and the rally ended according to plan at seven minutes past midnight, with a fifteen-minute silence for the 15 victims in Novi Sad.
Some of the students hinted that the next big rally could be on March 1 in Nis, but that the student plenum will vote on it.
In our live blog, read how the day of the big "Let's meet at Sretenje" protest went:
00:07
After fifteen minutes of silence, the blockade in Kragujevac ended.
22.00
Cleaning has begun.
The rally in Kragujevac should last for another two hours, and the "Vremena" reporter reports that the cleaning has already begun.
See the gallery with scenes from Kragujevac:
21.54
"We have no words for this feeling"
"Our children are students. The elder walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad, and now from Belgrade to Kragujevac in the spirit of this whole struggle," Ljiljana Rajčić, who arrived in Kragujevac on Friday evening, told Vreme.
She says that it is a fantastic feeling to be in Kragujevac right now.
"Instill hope, definitely, positive in the people. As they say, the smile is back in town. People are so nice to each other. Patient, tolerant, I have no words. Actually, we need a new word for this feeling, because we definitely don't have it in the dictionary," she adds.
She and her husband carry a banner with a list, on which officials who have been arrested so far are ticked.
"The first three have been achieved for now, at least decoratively, and we hope that they will not remain there, as they have been until now. We hope that the list will end," she tells Vreme.
20.28
"We hope..."
Female students from Kragujevac have caught a little cold and are drinking tea.
"We are here all day. The atmosphere is nice, a lot of people came even though it was cold. We hope that this will achieve something," they say to "Vreme".
20.04
Reading a student letter
At the blockade in Kragujevac, a letter from the students was read.
"With us today, students and citizens of the whole of Serbia are gathered around the same idea - the idea of serious changes based on the basic values that we all share," read a student from the University of Kragujevac.
He said that the students call on the institutions to act as quickly and transparently as possible, as well as that they clearly and unequivocally demand the fulfillment of the requirements from the competent institutions.
"Since November, when the protests started first in Novi Sad, and then in other cities, not a single request has been fulfilled by the competent institutions. Know that today we meet in the sign of the number 15 - 15 hours, the 15th (of February) for 15 victims," he added.
Then he read the parts of the Constitution of Sretenja from 1835, which are still applicable today, and concern the organization and functioning of the government and the judiciary.
The speech was accompanied by applause and shouts: "Uprising, uprising!"
After the speech, the actors read a monologue from various theater pieces, including "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett.
19.48
See the photo gallery from Kragujevac:
19.11
The view from the solitaire - once again
"Vučić told 25.000 people? Well, only solitaires have that much," says one passerby.
This is evidenced by the view from the solitaire.
18.51
"People are freeing themselves in Surdulica"
Đorđe and Milan from Surdulica came to Kragujevac. They say that there is fear in their place and that they are here to set people free.
"People are freeing themselves in Surdulica as well." Tomorrow we have a protest. We support the youth and hope that the conditions will soon be met and that we will soon have a fairer Serbia", says Đorđe.
"Injustice has always existed, not only in the last 12 years, but now the students show that this injustice can pass."
"Morality, justice, knowledge" is the name of their association.
18.10
"See you in Niš"
The temperature and darkness have dropped, and people walk endlessly through the streets of Kragujevac.
"Get your most comfortable shoes and good energy ready." See you on March 1 in Niš", says one of the guards over the loudspeaker.
17.20
"The best thing that could have happened to Serbia"
Iker, a freshman at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, says that he could not have imagined a better start to the faculty and that the faculty, which is under blockade, is now his home.
"This is the most beautiful thing that could happen to Serbia at this moment," he tells "Vreme".
The students add that they were delighted by the welcome and the atmosphere last night and that it was different than in Novi Sad.
"There, it was appropriate for the banner and wreaths leading the column, it was sad and appropriate for the moment. "It was energetic here last night," they say.
17.08
Full cafes
Cafes that are open are full, reports the "Vremena" reporter. One, in which a place was found in an outlying part that is not intended for guests, is full of people, and the guests shout: "Guys, guys" and sing "No more SNS".
16.45
Donations for children with cancer
Today is the World Day of Children with Cancer, and donations are being collected for them at one table.
16.40
Unforgettable atmosphere
There is a big crowd on the streets of Kragujevac, the center is full, and people can be heard saying that the atmosphere in the first modern capital of Serbia is "unprecedented".
According to "Vremena" reporters, no one came to Kragujevac with any expectations, nor to listen to speeches.
People honk and shout "Pump!", and this exclamation then spreads throughout the crowd. According to the estimates of the "Vremena" reporter, the rally will last well into the night.
16.28
"Pump!"
Demonstrators on the streets of Kragujevac are chanting: "Pump!"
16.15
View of Zastava's skyscraper
The large number of citizens in Kragujevac is also reflected in the view from Zastava's solitaire on the Green Market.
15.37
To protest after dismissal
Until Friday, Jelena Ivetić worked as a program organizer at the Šabac Theater, and then she saw a notice on the notice board about the termination of her job. Most of the employees in her theater have three demands - changing the decision on systematization, returning Jelena Ivanjić to her job and the resignation of the acting director.
Today he is in Kragujevac.
"Today we celebrate the day of the Knjaževa Serbian Theater. Actors from numerous theaters came," she tells Vreme.
15.07
You can't 'pooh pikachu, it doesn't work'
Sanja Mihajlović arrived in Kragujevac from Surčin.
She was also in Novi Sad two weeks ago and says that such meetings must contribute to changes.
"Someone can't just come out and say 'fuck it, it doesn't work'. Both here and in Novi Sad, the atmosphere is great, everyone is positive," says Sanja for "Vreme".
He also comments that the students are phenomenally organized.
"We, the older ones, should have set an example for them." We scheduled it, they show us how to do it."
14.22
"You have nowhere to go"
"You have nowhere to pass, nowhere to stop." There are some happenings in the whole city", commented a group of Kragujevac residents.
13.52
"Mitrovica is here"
The central streets of Kragujevac are full of people, and Milena, a resident of Kragujevac, comments that everything is blocked and that people are pouring in from all sides.
"I saw a banner that said 'Mitrovica is here'." They came too. We try to meet all day with acquaintances," she says for "Vreme".
Last night they waited for the students until half past 12 and they say that the atmosphere was special.
It's the same today, she and her friends add.
At the stand where the blocking T-shirts are printed, one more T-shirt is requested.
13.44
"This is a day for victory"
People pass each other, go from one side of Lepenica Boulevard to the other, and badges, whistles and banners are their main jewelry.
"This is a day for victory," exclaims one gentleman, while several of them throw him, "Pump, pump."
The air temperature has dropped, and the atmosphere is being warmed by the group of marathon runners who are running.
Chess games are also played at several tables.
13.24
A walk through the streets of Kragujevac
The walk through the streets is led by students from Kragujevac, who were joined last night after several days of walking from Belgrade, Niš and Kraljevo by colleagues from the faculties of other universities in Serbia.
At the head of the column are the flags of Serbia, the University of Kragujevac and a large "Ćaci" banner.
The gathered shout "Everyone with the students", "Kragujevac with the students", "We are not boys", "We are walking to freedom".
Many citizens from other cities continue to arrive in Kragujevac, so the crowds on the roads and approaches to the city are big.
12.45
"It smells like precipitation"
"The air in Kragujevac today smells of some precipitation. We'll see if something will fall soon," says Goran Simatović for "Vreme".
He adds that today in Kragujevac is unforgettable, that he was expecting a good atmosphere, but what awaited him exceeded his expectations.
He left Zaječar early in a van with seven other people, and he says that several hundred more people came from his town.
While the air smells of precipitation, it's clearing up in Kragujevac, and the sun's rays are breaking through the clouds.
12.24
"Mother's Canteen"
About sixty mothers of students from Kragujevac brought pies, cakes, galettes, muffins and various specialties to the tables.
"We had several crisis headquarters and collected funds to welcome students. We haven't seen this amount of smiles, happiness and youth in Kragujevac for a long time. We are only here to follow them," says one of them, Dragana Nenadović, for "Vreme".
At 14 p.m., a cooked lunch "at the keva" arrives.
11.52
Silence for the victims
At exactly 11:52 all whistles, improvised drums and trumpets fell silent.
You can only hear drones, the wings of birds that at one point flew over the crowd and the rustle of jackets of people standing next to each other.
At exactly 12:07, the silence was replaced by a thunderous noise.
11.45
Good morning freedom!
Milan Ilić arrived this morning from Belgrade. He left early with his wife so as not to get into the crowd.
"This is Serbia, not that gathering by bus," he says for "Vreme".
On the way, they met marathon runners running towards Kragujevac, but also buses going to Sremska Mitrovica.
11.37
Who woke up in Kragujevac this morning...
Special attention was attracted by the banner, which is a paraphrase of Duško Radović's famous praise for Belgrade
At the protest, there are citizens on crutches and in wheelchairs, and several drones fly over the crowd.
11.29
The "economic tiger" Dalibor also arrived
Economic tiger Dalibor also arrived from Novi Sad. It was brought by the students of the Faculty of Novi Sad, and received from colleagues from Belgrade. Belgrade tiger Tihomir sleeps at the university with students who came on foot.
11.26
Veterans of the 63rd Parachute Brigade also came
11.20
Danilo and Krsman came on foot from Čačak
Danilo and Krsman are walking with medals around their necks, the famous faces from the march from Belgrade to Novi Sad.
This time their route was from Čačak to Kragujevac.
They came on foot, and this time it was easier for them, because it was shorter.
"When my colleagues could cover 150 kilometers each, so could we 55 from Čačak."
11.06
A large number of people are already in Lepenički Boulevard
A large number of people have already arrived at Lepenički Boulevard, and supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party organized an organized trip to Orašac this morning, writes Glas Šumadije.
Students of all state faculties from Serbia gather in Lepenički boulevard. A large number of citizens also arrive, and huge columns are noted at the entrance to the city.
Food stands were set up in Mali Park, on the parking lot near Zastava's Solitaire, teams from Blokande Kitchen from Belgrade, a group of women from Novi Sad, a large number of men and women from Kragujevac came...
This morning, supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party also went to Orašac in an organized manner, but they were not in the mood to talk.
10.54
We are all our own.
"Where are ours?" one boy asks the other.
"Which ones are ours?" We are all ours," he replies.
Whistles, horns and conversations in different dialects of the Serbian language can be heard on the streets.
"Pump!" is the most heard slogan.
10.44
Ajtijevci: We live well, but we want a country without corruption
The Ajti people from Kragujevac also have a stand. They say that they live well, but that they came out to support everyone, so that there is no corruption in the country.
10.27
Remembrance of the victims of the tragedy in Novi Sad
15 chairs were placed with the names of the victims of the tragedy in Novi Sad and a rose for each of them.
Bosniaks came from Belgrade as a family.
"It was fun along the way, everyone was playing. Where today, if not here. This is not Sremska Mitrovica."
10.20
Kilometer columns at the toll booth near Kragujevac
At the toll booth at the very entrance to Kragujevac, there is a kilometer-long line of vehicles waiting to enter Kragujevac.
Let's remind you that today in Kragujevac, a big gathering called "Let's meet at Sretenje" is being held. It was invited by students, but a large number of citizens from all over Serbia are expected to attend. On that occasion, three columns of students arrived in Kragujevac on Friday evening - cyclists, marathon runners and those who went on foot, writes N1.
They were spectacularly welcomed in front of the municipality building, where a large number of people had gathered. Cyclists were the first to arrive in Kragujevac, followed by marathoners, and then pedestrians - first the "royal battalion", as they were called, then the Novi Sad-Belgrade group, and as the "stars of the evening" students from Nis arrived around 23 p.m. They passed the longest section, 150 km long.
The convoys are also on the old road to Kragujevac
N1 readers report that there are also crowds on the old road to Kragujevac, via Mladenovac and Topola.
They gather at the Bubanj potok, and about 30 engines have gathered. They were joined by citizens in cars decorated with Serbian flags.
10.03
Preparations for the meeting
Preparations for the rally are underway, the guards are at their positions along Lepenica Boulevard.
It's cold, snow is blowing, food stands are being prepared.
"We came by car from Pancevo to support the students in their demands. We've had enough. We are preparing tea and wings. We came from Vojvodina, where some stupid, fabricated declaration is made, and we came to Šumadija to support the students," Milan Kovački told Vreme.
"We are here from the building." We have been fighting since 1995 against this freakish, corrupt, criminal regime. Today we prepared rolls, cakes, refreshments, teas, juices", says "Vreme" Aleksandar Mirković.
Dental students from Belgrade arrive, and the citizens welcome them with shouts of "Welcome" and "Well done children!"
"We are the hosts, support must be given, we have a čak pljeka", says Igor Pantić.
Irena came from Niš to support the youth, carrying a banner and saying briefly: "You live for the youth."
"We are preparing beans to warm the crowd." Support for students, support for all of us and I hope that all that we are doing these days and months will help to help us be free at last. It's time!", says Nemanja Leizer.
A lot of food is served at his stand, and he cooks beans in a kettle.
08.47
Students from Kosovska Mitrovica also come to Kragujevac
Students from Kosovska Mitrovica went to Kragujevac for the Sretenjski rally, announced the KoSSev portal.
Courtesy of the local carrier "Joe Travel", two buses with students from Kosovska Mitrovica and Leposavic left for Kragujevac this morning.
Some citizens also joined them.
08.22
Student guide
In order for the meeting "Let's meet for a meeting" to go as planned, the students published a guide with guidelines on how to behave at the meeting and the schedule of the event.
The rules of the protest, which the students stated in a post on Instagram, are that everyone cleans up after themselves, respects the privacy of others and that no one makes any incidents.
- It is forbidden to approach fences, jump over them and approach bridges.
Probably taught by the experiences of the Arsenal Fest, which is held in the immediate vicinity every summer, the students, but also the people of Kragujevac, especially appeal that no one climbs on top of the bridge, which can be dangerous and no one should
- It is forbidden to destroy city property, to play music that is not suitable for the event, and if someone brings his instrument, he should make an effort to make the music suitable for the occasion of the gathering. (And the police will also be filming).
- It is forbidden to use pyrotechnics and light fires on your own in locations not designated for this purpose
- It is forbidden to block the fast lane, which will be intended for the passage of emergency services.
The students stated in the rulebook that it is necessary to report to the stewards any violation of the protest rules, any form of inappropriate behavior, persons possessing any weapons, suspicious persons and potential provocateurs.
Items for making noise, banners conveying a message and position, something to sit on, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, as well as umbrellas and raincoats can be brought to the protest.
Also, the students announced the program of the gathering "Let's meet at Sretenje in Kragujevac"
On their Instagram profiles, students singled out the following events:
– 09.00 start of the gathering
– 09.00-00.07 exhibition of blockade material; sports activities; voice messages from visitors; collecting money for children suffering from cancer and donating for the care of abandoned and endangered animals
– 10.00-13.00 medical corner (measurement of blood pressure and blood sugar level)
– 11.52-12.07 tribute
- 13.00-17.00 children's corner (workshops of the Faculty of Education); the installation "Threads of Freedom"; chess tournament
– 14.00 clavinove (piano music)
– 15.00-20.00 T-shirt making
– 18.00:XNUMX PM mixed choir
– 19.50 reading of student letters
– 20.00-20.30 break
- 20.30:XNUMX p.m. stage: monologues, songs by students, performances by actors of the Princely-Serbian Ensemble
– 23.52-00.07 tribute
At the protest, there will be a large interactive canvas where the participants will leave their mark and the experience of the blockades, announced the students for "Let's meet at Sretenje".
08.05
A great gathering of people begins
Everything is ready for a large gathering of citizens "Let's meet for a meeting" in Kragujevac, who together with students will block Lepenački boulevard in that city for 15 hours, from 9 am to 00.07:15 am, symbolizing the XNUMX victims of the tragedy in Novi Sad.
The students who arrived in Kragujevac late on Friday evening walked for several days from all over Serbia, where they were given a magnificent and very emotional welcome.
First there was a group of students from the so-called "Royal Battalion", and soon after them the Novi Sad-Belgrade group, which was greeted with a lot of emotions.
The students from Nis, who walked the longest - about 150 kilometers - arrived in Kragujevac around 23 pm.
A group of individuals has created two websites where public procurement of the Telecom and IT sectors can be searched and compared. They invite the media, experts and citizens to review the documentation and submit reasoned observations
Very soon it could become obvious whether Milan Radoičić has left Serbia or not
The hospital formed a commission for an extraordinary expert check and informed the health inspection. Cases of death during childbirth in Serbia rarely receive a judicial epilogue.
Two unions of public services supported the request of FDU students for information about RTS employees, since claims appeared in the public that it was a request for "files". The students say they are looking for "public truth about public service."
Among those pardoned is the man who attacked a citizen who came to ask about the street in the office of the mayor of Kosjerić in April. The pardon applies only to one of the two offenses, and the injured party announces a constitutional appeal.
At the moment when the institutions of the Republic are destroyed, when Vučić's octopus is still alive, when people are disgusted by the injustice and the stench left behind by the Essenes regime, we have, as Machiavelli said, only civic virtue as the fuel with which we can return to the beginning
The four independent members of REM are an example of perseverance and civic responsibility. Rodoljub Šabić even, upon leaving the premises of REM, after the sentencing of the Informer, experienced that the Essenes insulted him, hit him with their hands and feet. But that too will soon be over
Vučić pardoned the batterers and Dijana Hrkalović. The election winners should abolish the sultan's power that allows one man to run afoul of the entire judicial system
Interview: Branko Stamenković, public prosecutor of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office
A black picture and the breakdown of the rule of law subscribeThe archive of the weekly Vreme includes all our digital editions, since the very beginning of our work. All issues can be downloaded in PDF format, by purchasing the digital edition, or you can read all available texts from the selected issue.
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