15. за 15
On Saturday, March 15th, we make history together – all of Serbia is taking to the streets of Belgrade to show that we will not accept injustice! **See you on the 15th in Belgrade! More information coming soon...**
Student Blockades
The collapse of the canopy at the Railway Station in Novi Sad on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11:52, killed 15 people. The death of innocent victims caused collective sorrow. Citizens paused in the streets at 11:52AM to honor the victims with a 15-minute silence. People in Serbia continue to gather regularly in various locations across the country, always at the same time – 11:52.
News
Upcoming public actions and events organized by students in the blockades of higher education institutions in Belgrade. See the announcements of actions that await us in the coming period, find out more about the plan of activities, see the map or follow how the event is developing live.
Akcija „Operacija”
Počela je nenajavljena višečasovna blokada RTS-a. Studenti fizički blokiraju ulaz u zgradu RTS-a na adresi Takovska 10. Blokiraju se oba ulaza — iz Takovske i Ilije Garašanina. Izlaz iz zgrade je omogućen
A Letter to the People of Serbia
We, students, have been blocking our faculty buildings all over Serbia for almost four months. The demands of the protests have not been fulfilled yet, and with the increased pressure we put on institutions to do their job, the pressure we withstand increases. Due to the growing involvement of citizens and other sectors of society, the protests have evolved from students’ to nationwide.Оur society has united as never before – first in grief after the tragedy,and immediately after in the fight for justice. Still, the question that is of pressing interest to all remains: **What is the next step?** Everything that we, students, have accomplished so far was possible owing to self-organisation according to the principles of direct democracy and plenary sessions. The plenum is an open forum for all members of a collective, where everybody equally participates in proposing the agenda items, discussing them and making decisions by simple majority vote. Contrary to the established model of representative democracy, in which all power and responsibility is delegated to chosen representatives who decide our fate on our behalf, in direct democracy everyone is equally in charge and equally responsible for matters that concern them. Everyone has a right to take a part in governing their country, **directly** or through freely elected representatives, guaranteed by Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia states: No state body, political organisation, group or individual may usurp the sovereignty from the citizens. Article 67 of the Law on Local Self-Government stipulates that the forms of direct involvement of citizens in achieving local self-government are: citizens’ initiative, citizens’ assembly and referendum. Article 69 of the same law states that **citizens’ assembly** deliberates and offers proposals on matters that fall under the competence of bodies of local self-government units. Citizens’ assembly adopts demands and propositions by majority vote of present members and addresses them to the assembly or particular bodies and offices of local self-government units. Therefore, while students have the plenum, the citizens have its equivalent in citizens’ assembly. Nevertheless, due to the prominent centralisation and the corruption of the system, of local self-government, and then, as a consequence, of the local community, they are tendentiously overlooked. The strength of the students’ movement lies in direct democracy, which is, contrary to representative democracy, not susceptible to manipulation and bribery. Representative democracy is clearly not able to find a way out of the social and political crisis that has lasted for several decades in our country, while the direct democracy model, based on our experience, stands a good chance. Students are not, do not wish to, nor can be the reflection of the general will. The answers to the most general questions concerning the state and society that are currently arising do not concern students only, and therefore cannot fall on students’ shoulders only. All citizens, who are, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, irrevocable bearers of sovereignty, should take part in the discussion and decision-making concerning the ongoing crisis. This is why we invite you to turn to local self-government and self-organise according to the model of direct democracy – through the statutory body of citizens’ assembly. The ones in charge and those who make the decisions are the ones concerned – and those are all of us. **EVERYBODY ASSEMBLE!**
Demands
- The publication of the entire documentation related to the reconstruction of the Railway Station in Novi Sad, which is currently unavailable to the public.
- We demand confirmation from the competent authorities regarding the identity of all individuals reasonably suspected of physically assaulting students and professors, as well as the initiation of criminal proceedings against them. We also demand the dismissal of these individuals if it is proven that they are public officials.
- The dismissal of criminal charges against the arrested and detained students at the protests, as well as the suspension of any ongoing criminal proceedings.
- Increase in the higher education budget by 20%.
Public actions
See posts from our "Public actions" log. Here you can read more detailed stories written by our colleagues during or after events that have already taken place.
Let's meet at Sretenje!
The choice of February 15th this year was symbolic. The date represented not only the holiday of Sretenje (Candlemas), when the first constitution was adopted, but also the day when students from Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and other cities gathered in Kragujevac. Citizen support was not lacking this time either. Everyone gathered in Kragujevac to support the third large and long-planned protest "Let's meet on Sretenje". What was most striking and different from large protests in other cities was that campfires were burning in the protest zone, creating the impression of a mass camping, similar to a rafting expedition. At one point, the protest became so massive that the student monitors, of whom there were many, could barely maintain order. The streets were overflowing with people, and they spontaneously started dancing the kolo folk dance at certain places, with great enthusiasm. The word Pumpaj (“Pump it”) dominated numerous protest signs, and chanting of this word could often be heard. The atmosphere reached its peak when, after the end of the protest silence at midnight, someone from the crowd shouted "Pumpaj!”, which started a wave of further shouts. The cold did not stop people from staying on the streets, but many went into nearby cafes, schools and homes to warm up. The organization was at a high level. People from abroad also attended the protest – a married couple from Greece arrived with their country’s flag, while a man from Canada, born in Kragujevac, came with his family just to participate in the event. Tractors marked the boundaries of the gathering, and from whichever direction one approached the protest, someone offered food, which further strengthened the sense of community. Kragujevac was nearly impossible to walk through; several streets were blocked, not just one protest zone. Citizens also came to Kragujevac via side roads, trying to get to the protest. The diverse protest signs alluded to the Sretenje Constitution. Actors and other public figures joined the protest, drawing even more public attention to this event. Šumadija welcomed everyone with warmth and hospitality, a friendly atmosphere and a sense of solidarity. When the protest was over, cleaning the streets went smoothly, as those gathered had already taken care not to leave any rubbish behind. This protest in Kragujevac left a strong impression not only because of its massive size, but also because of the unique atmosphere that combined the spirit of struggle, unity and historical symbolism. The gathering of people from different cities, and even from abroad, showed how universal and significant the values for which they protested are. Spontaneity, energy and solidarity made this event be remembered as one of the key moments in the history of student and civic gatherings. Regardless of the further course of protests, one thing is certain – the spirit that was ignited at Sretenje will continue to burn.
Walk to Kragujevac
In our eyes, the two-day walk from Belgrade to Novi Sad was truly the triumph of the student blockades. The students succeeded in convincing everyone that it was the pinnacle and crown of all the public actions. However, the energy, sowed through Vojvodina by each step, caught on and burst throughout the country. This time many cities decided to individually commence their walk to Kragujevac, so everyone could meet for Sretenje. The way which had to be traversed was not an easy one. Not only did it amount to, depending on the starting point, between 100 and 150 kilometers, but the terrain was also significantly more demanding compared to the Vojvodina plains, and it had to be crossed in 4 days at maximum. # Tuesday, 11 February Students from Niš began the first stage, starting at around 7:30 in the morning from the Faculty of Electronic Engineering towards Aleksinac. Some 200 people from Niš gathered the courage for this undertaking, and almost all of them envied one of their colleagues who had his most faithful companion – his dog – by his side. The starting point of the students from Belgrade and Novi Sad was the Faculty of Pharmacy in Belgrade. The line, according to the estimate of one of the walking students, also numbered around 200 people, however, it grew larger every day, as many joined in at stopping points along the way. A police vehicle, several cars used for logistical purposes, as well as vehicles with personnel from the College of Health Sciences were at the beginning and ending of the line, and they were definitely of great help and the entire public action might not have been so successful without them.  The streets of Belgrade and Niš were flooded with citizens, who had gathered to send off these young, brave people and to tell them one thing – that they had immeasurable support. The echoes of applause and praise filled the streets, while every trace of the processions was slowly lost. The first stop of our southerners was Gornja Toponica, where the locals greeted them with open arms. Meanwhile, after a short pause at Avala Park, the path continued for the Belgrade and Novi Sad students all the way to “Camping Belgrade Avala” where a traditional greeting with bread and salt awaited them, as well as lunch. Steps of freedom were heard throughout the entire country, while the students went from one town to another, and as the path continued on, so the hugs of citizens became warmer, and emotions more tumultous. The first day, the hardest for the beginners, and easier for those with a little more experience, was slowly drawing to an end. The students from Niš arrived in Aleksinac around 18:00, while the line starting from Belgrade arrived in Sopot around 21:00. Their arrival in both places did not go unnoticed. The love for these, one could say, unknown people who are fighting a battle for all of us, could be seen in the eyes of citizens of Sopot as well as Aleksinac. Their hospitality was worthy of our heroes. Tables filled with homemade food, prepared during the whole day, flooded the town centres with scents. After steadying themselves, the students in Aleksinac were led to the sports hall, where they would spend the night, while in Sopot they were led to the nearby greenhouses which are part of the agricultural property “Dr Čupić”, which had been warmed the entire day so as to ensure sleeping conditions. Soon everyone drifted off into a long-awaited sleep. # Wednesday, 12 February With the night slept through, the walk continued first for the Niš procession, and slightly later for the Belgrade one. The first longer break for the Šumadija march was in Mladenovac. Citizens draped students with blankets, and children awaited them excitedly, shoving each other so that they could at least hug one of them. The Niš students, too, valiantly crossed their stopping points, and the southerners did their best to greet them at every step in a way only they could. When they came to the village of Bobovište, they were joined by tractors which followed all the way to Deligrad.  Since the beginning everyone knew that the second day would be the hardest. The weather was not on our side and it decided to test the students. While the cold chilled many to the bone, song warmed their soul, not allowing them to give up. Even sleet followed the northern line from Markovac. The colleagues from the south, arriving in Ražanj, fared no better, singing “We know no tiredness!”. Orašac was the next stop for the students coming from the capital. They entered the place where Karađorđe was chosen as leader of the Serbs in 1804 with heads rightfully held high. Banners fluttered, led by the image of Đorđe Petrović, who would surely be proud of this sight. At the “First Serbian Uprising” elementary school the students ate dinner, warmed themselves and rested, before heading by way of Aranđelovac, the last stop for this day. This section was definitely the most demanding, because they were walking uphill, and it was slippery due to weather conditions. They descended by the park and walked into the main street where the locals welcomed them, shouting „Everyone to the streets!“ together. The Niš line ended the day arriving in Ćićevac. Some of the students slept in a hostel, some in the sports hall, and some with the locals. This evening the lines led by the banners of Novi Pazar and Kraljevo joined in front of the Faculty of Mechanical and Civil Engineering. # Thursday, 13 February Five more cities joined the walk on the third day. First the banners of Kraljevo and Novi Pazar joined and the students went towards Mrčajevci together, where they met up with their colleagues from Užice, Čačak and Gornji Milanovac. In one large procession they went together by way of Knić. The Novi Sad and Belgrade students formed a line in front of the sports centre this morning, from where they went towards Topola. By 13:00 they were already halfway to their next stop, which was actually the hardest section of that day, due to the highest elevation. Complaints could be heard from the Novi Sad students as they were not used to such hilly terrain, however, no obstacle could stop them. Before entering Topola, a girl in traditional folk attire, atop a horse, greeted them, whereupon an epic photograph was made. This was perhaps the most symbolic welcome. Students walked into the place where, in 1804 with the First Serbian Uprising, the war for the freedom and unity of Serbs began, as worthy heirs of Karađorđe. It was confirmed again that the spirit of battle did not wane and that the fighters would win this time as well. The shouts which echoed the most were: “Uprising, uprising!”, letting them know they were not alone. Medical care was also ensured for those who needed help due to wounds and calluses. After lunch in Karađorđe’s lodging, it was time to head towards Trnava. All along the way fliers with the meeting’s slogan “Let’s meet at Sretenje” were handed out.  Before departing Ćićevac, the Niš students took photos with their hosts. This day was certainly, like every other on their way, more demanding compared to the other lines, due to the challenging terrain, as well as the most severe weather conditions. They crossed Sikirica, then Ratari, until they arrived in Paraćin for their break. At a hotel in the town centre their wounds were bandaged and their calluses taken care of, after which they continued on. When entering Ćuprija, drums could be heard from afar, announcing their arrival, and they joined the sound with their joyous singing. When asked how the walk was unfolding, they proudly said their energy was increasing from day to day. They gathered all their available strength and finally arrived in Jagodina, where their student colleagues welcomed them together with the citizens. They organised lodgings for them at the sports hall and in faculty classrooms, doing their best to ensure they were comfortable, so as to prepare for the hardest part of the journey. While the northern line approached their next destination, the locals started letting off fireworks, and students were greeted by tractors, which led them into Trnava. A true feast was prepared, and the students were most excited by the homemade pancakes. After a short rest, they continued to their last stop for the day, the place where they would rest for the last time before arriving in Kragujevac – the little village of Čumić. No one could have supposed that some many citizens would gather in such a small place to see who was coming to them. The hospitality at Čumić was talked about even days later, and many, as they spoke of the walk, said that they slept the best right here. The third line, while approaching the bridge over the Gruža Lake, enjoyed the scenery our beautiful Šumadija offered. Wherever they passed, the locals chanted “Students, students!”, and they marched tirelessly. In the evening, they finally arrived in Knić, where accommodations were prepared for them in the “Dobrica Erić” high school. # Friday, 14 February And so came the final day of the walk. While some exhausted walkers gathered even the last atoms of strength so they could finish the undertaking unthinkable for some of us, some decided to warm up with push-ups. Unlike the rest, who had a significantly shorter section to walk, the Niš line had the longest and most difficult route – a whole 40 kilometres. Although thoroughly exhausted, everyone started with enthusiasm toward the first modern capital of Serbia.  At last, East and West, North and South joined. They met just before Sretenje. Many will say this walk was no more just that, but that it had become a pilgrimage. With every step our youth planted freedom, hope, unity and love. They had awoken the people of all of Serbia, who had long been in hibernation. The locals hugged them, kissed them, gave gifts, invited them into their homes for at least a little, so they could meet their liberators. Despite the tiring journey, they managed to observe the fifteen-minute silence every day, in order to pay respects to those who died and send a clear message – we do not forget and we do not give up! The welcome in every city, village, settlement and town they passed through is indescribable. The amount of people who eagerly awaiting their passing-through every day, especially in smaller places, was unimaginable. No one could have expected that our battle would get through even to those who were too long in the dark. Finally there is no divide among our people. Finally the Serbs have united around one goal. According to beliefs, based on the time at Sretenje, one can gauge what times await us in the following period. By all means, times of freedom are finally coming to Serbia. Winter has passed at last. ## A few words from our walking students > Са сваким пређеним километром моја енергија је расла. Ни у једном тренутку нисам била сама, уз мене су биле моје колеге, а људи из сваког места кроз које смо пролазили излазили су на пут да нас подрже, упућујући нам лепе речи. Несебично су нас нудили водом, воћем и разним стварима како би нам олакшали пут. То нам је уливало сигурност. > > > Када смо стигли у Кнић, иако исцрпљена након пређених 40 километара, дочек који смо тамо имали избрисао је сав умор и као да ме је потпуно освежио. Док сам покушавала да дођем до даха, моји другови су, пуни адреналина, одлучили да раде склекове. Уместо да се одмарају, показивали су снагу и понос што смо стигли довде. Тај призор ме је насмејао и додатно мотивисао, умор је био ту, али осећај заједништва и еуфорије био је јачи. Било је болова и жуљева, али ништа ме није спречило да сутрадан наставим пут и стигнем до Крагујевца. Песма, игра и разговори испуњавали су сваки тренутак, а време је пролетело. > > > Овај пут ми је доказао да је све у глави – ако имаш циљ, можеш да га оствариш. > > > Последњих осам километара били су ми најтежи. Имала сам огромне болове и једва сам корачала, али уз помоћ својих колега, које су ме држале и охрабривале, издржала сам и стигла у Крагујевац. Када сам видела људе како нас чекају, праве нам пут и плачу због нас, када су нам делили руже, каранфиле и поклоне, знала сам да сам урадила нешто велико. Први пут сам осетила толико чисту и искрену емоцију. Коначно сам се, као Бошњакиња из Новог Пазара, осетила као део ове државе. Овај пут је пробудио наду и веру у бољу будућност свих народа у Србији. Ово је моја држава, у њој сам рођена, у њој се школујем, за њу се борим и желим у њој да останем до краја живота. > > > Некада је Нови Пазар био синоним за добре људе, ћевапе, мантије и квалитетан џинс. Данас је, нажалост, постао симбол корупције и неслоге. Томе је дошао крај, због нас студената. Осветлали смо образ нашем граду. Нови Пазар коначно шаље поруку да се пробудио и устао против неправде. Као најмлађи град у Европи, поносно показује да има младе људе који га бране и не дозвољавају да се на њега насрће. > > > Ова земља има људе који би урадили све да она буде функционална. Нама су стопала крвава, а њима руке! \- Студенткиња Универзитета у Новом Пазару > Колико ми је драго што имам прилику да поделим са људима шта једна шетња са студентима може да пробуди у човеку, толико ми је и жао што знам да се овај осећај не може пренети… Толико је драгоцено оно што након оваквих дешавања носиш у себи, да пожелиш да се никада не одвојиш од тог осећаја, просто пожелиш да одмах продужиш за Ниш. > > > Доминантан утисак који је остао после шетње до Крагујевца ми је дефинитивно искреност. Искреност сам осетила у разговору са сваким студентом, препознала сам је у погледу људи који се врло одлучно боре за слободу. У тим погледима не постоје упитност, колебање, страх, нестабилност… постоји јасан циљ, који је тог дана био наш дивни Крагујевац. > > > Искреност се препознаје и у емоцијама. Један од ретких тренутака среће сам доживела када смо улазили у град. Осетила сам ретко чисту и јаку емоцију других људи који су нас дочекали и показали нам шта је то љубав. Подсетили су нас да смо ми, људи, створени да волимо једни друге и подржавамо се. Осетила сам захвалност, брижност, срећу, понос, великодушност, ЉУБАВ и НАДУ. Мислим да је то оно што се рађа у овим шетњама, то је оно што нас покреће, а што је вероватно у животу једино вредно. \- Студенткиња Универзитета у Београду, шетала из Чачка > Атмосфера је била феноменална. > > Ужичка екипа студената и матураната је кренула из Ужица 13. 2. ујутру таксиjем. Таксисти су одлучили добровољно да учествују у превозу студената и матураната. Испред Факултета техничких наука у Чачку смо се нашли са студентима из Чачка и кренули на пут. Енергија је била присутна, јер је ово суштински један велики подухват који вероватно нико од нас до сада није искусио. Требало је да пређемо 60 км до Крагујевца. > > > Упечатљиво је било то што су грађани излазили из буквално сваке куће поред које смо прошли како би нас поздравили. Било је јако емотивно. У Мрчајевцима смо се сусрели са студентским екипама из Краљева и Новог Пазара. Ту је настао легендарни снимак сусрета где се студенти међусобно грле. У Кнић смо ушли предвођени трактористима, са чијих трактора су се вијориле заставе градова и факултета. Дочекали су нас расплакани грађани, наравно уз ватромете. Било је баш емотивно. > > > Преспавали смо у једној средњој школи у Книћу. Ту смо могли да видимо сцене које су ме неодољиво подсећале на повратак војске из рата. Медицински радници су радили свој посао, лечили су преморене студенте. Пекари су такође одиграли велику улогу. Нахранили су једну огромну студентску екипу од близу 300 студената. Били смо јако уморни. Главни утисак је био следећи: како сам легао у кревет и затворио очи, у следећем тренутку сам се пробудио у истом положају. Ето толико ми је пријао сан после препешачених 35 км. > > > Другог дана смо кренули на пут око 11 часова. После таквог одмора, енергија је опет била невероватна. У 11.52 смо стали да одамо пошту жртвама из Новог Сада. > > > Овог пута 16 минута смо ћутали због једног момка из Новог Пазара који је погинуо. > > > Нестваран моменат је био након тих 16 минута ћутања. Без обзира на религију, свако је на свој начин завршио тишину. Неки су се прекрстили, неки су се помолили Алаху. То је јединство. Без обзира на веру и националну припадност, ми смо СВИ грађани Србије. Ушли смо у Крагујевац, где смо заиста прелепо дочекани. > > > Крагујевчани су чак и поставили црвени тепих за нас. Добили смо и медаље за ову шетњу. Део ужичке екипе је преспавао у Првој крагујевачкој гимназији. > > Наравно, и у Крагујевцу су нас дочекали доктори који су помогли повређенима. > > Јели смо и гулаш који су правили професори из Крагујевца. > > Ујутру смо се пробудили и кренули на протест. > > Ово је био догађај за памћење. \- Студент Универзитета у Београду, шетао из Ужица > У суштини, што се мене тиче, ова шетња је оставила сјајан утисак на мене и осећам се испуњено сад кад сам је завршио. > > Мислим да је томе највише допринело то што смо на неки начин пробудили Шумадију и остварили контакт са свим тим људима који живе у местима кроз које смо пролазили. Сама стаза јесте захтевна иако нема много варирања у надморској висини и саме узбрдице и низбрдице нису велике, али су честе, па је то знало да умори. Најтежи дан по мени је дефинитивно био други дан кад је требало да пређемо највећу километражу и када је терен уједно био један од најтежих, али тог другог дана нам је свима мотивацију пружало то што смо тад заправо кренули да улазимо у мало већа места, где је дочек био све топлији и где је на улицама било све више људи који су нам стварно били ветар у леђа. > > Не могу да не споменем и Високу здравствену школу која ме је минимум 3-4 пута прегледала и превијала или санирала, и они су неопевани хероји. Да њих није било, ја лично верујем да половина људи која је кренула не би завршила шетњу – и они су много велики терет трпели и стварно им хвала на томе. > > Осећај кад смо улазили у Крагујевац је био невероватан, ја сам се осећао еуфорично и она енергија која се осећала то вече је била сјајна; стварно ми фале неке боље речи да је опишем, људи су нас на нереалан начин дочекали. Још једно место које исто треба да се спомене је и Чумић, где је изашао огроман број људи да нас сачека, можда и пропорционално највећи број људи. Само због њиховог угошћавања то вече сам ја знао да ћу сутрадан моћи да завршим шетњу до Крагујевца. \- Студент Универзитета у Београду > Не могу да кажем да ми је било напорно, јер нисам прешла ни упола колико су колеге из Ниша и Београда, али жуљеви и болови у ногама се још увек осете, па се колегама који су пешачили 140 км дивим. Мислим да грађани нису свесни колико је напорно и колико рана толики пут може да створи, а иако их је било, колеге су са завојима наставиле даље, са све осмехом на лицу. Прикључила сам се колегама из Ниша у тренутку када је киша почела да пада и морам рећи да сам водила битку сама са собом да ли да одустанем и вратим се кући. Чим смо крочили у прво село које нам је било успутно, када сам видела осмехе, махање, сузе и ватромет, у глави ми је било само то колико љубави сваки човек носи у себи и колико је друштво моћно када се удружи. > > > Један од прелепих тренутка ми је био када сам угледала свог деку на клупици у селу између Јагодине и Крагујевца са флашама воде. За мене је то био прелеп тренутак зато што сам осетила наду и зато што знам да је он један од људи изманипулисаних од стране наше власти, али ипак не дозвољава да се корумпирана власт подвуче под дечје ноге, због чега је са осмехом на лицу пратио наше кораке ка бољој будућности. > > Љубав ме је наводила и пружала снагу. > > Када смо стигли у Крагујевац – мој родни град – била сам одушевљена, јер никада нисам видела своје људе онако срећне и уједињене! > > Ходали смо по црвеном тепиху, док су око нас људи плакали и скакали од среће. Осећај је био непроцењив. Мислим да се свако од нас осећао посебно и поносно. > > > Сав умор и бол је нестао тог тренутка када сам угледала породицу, комшије и све насмејане грађане који нас бодре. > > > Пумпамо јако до краја! \- Студенткиња Универзитета у Београду, шетала из Јагодине > Шетња није физички тешка, у смислу да је потребна кондиција, али је тешка психички. Нисам осећао умор док сам пешачио, већ само болове у коленима, зглобовима и жуљеве које сам добио, а који ме нису спречили да испуним свој циљ. > > > Последњи километри били су најтежи, али кад видите колико вас људи дочека са осмехом, сузама у очима, тотално заборавите на бол и можете још дупло више да препешачите. Људи су излазили испред својих дворишта са децом да нас поздраве, загрле, кажу да смо ми њихова нада. > > Јако је битно то што смо имали подршку колега са ВЗШ и физиотерапеута, на којој смо неизмерно захвални. Да није било њих и свих добрих људи који су нам обезбедили храну, пиће, место за спавање, шетња би била скоро па немогућа. Сусрет са људима је неописив. У њиховим очима се може видети нада за боље сутра када нас виде. > > > Најтежа ствар од свега код шетње је била задржати сузе и не расплакати се пред огромним бројем људи који нас је дочекао пун разних емоција са сузама у очима. \- Студент Универзитета у Београду
Walk to Novi Sad
The two-day walk from Belgrade to Novi Sad is, without a doubt, the most ambitious feat of students in blockade so far. Logistics, coordination, but also the obvious physical effort and endurance that this project required, tested the commitment of the students to their noble cause. The row, which numbered about a thousand participants, started from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, with a slight delay due to the huge number of people that gathered, who came either to join the walkers or to see them off on their feat. The row of people was followed by dozens of cars and vans filled with tents, sleeping bags, water, food, medical equipment, as well as the walkers’ personal belongings. Belgrade streets rarely see parades followed by such interest as shown by the gathered groups on the sidewalks and windows of modern skyscrapers, welcoming this green row, which at that moment could not have imagined all the obstacles and complications they would encounter during their journey. The first stop was the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, in front of which the walkers held a fifteen-minute silence in honor of and in memory of the victims they are fighting for. Soon after that, they arrived in Batajnica, where for the first time they felt the enthusiasm and hospitality of the local population, while the number of the population waiting for them will increase as they get closer to their goal. The group scattered around, receiving home-made food, student chocolate bars (Studentski blokovi) and other necessities that the people of Batajnica had prepared for them. After a short break, the walk continued to Nova Pazova. The setting sun was melting over the cultivated fields of suburban Srem. The landscape was occasionally interrupted by a newly built high-speed railway line, next to which the walkers carefully watched the passing trains, which would cross the same route many times during their journey, but certainly not with the same goal as theirs. Just before night fell, the group arrived in Nova Pazova. Just like in Batajnica, the walkers were greeted by the applause of the gathered citizens, while the group responded by chanting the name of the city. The shouts of “No-va Pa-zo-va!” announced to all the residents the arrival of already somewhat exhausted walkers. A short break followed in front of the “Sveti Sava” Elementary School, where tables with groceries awaited the walkers and where they could refresh themselves. Soon, the walk continued through the cold darkness of the windswept plains. At the exit from the city, they were joined by a fleet of tractors belonging to the student allies – farmers, who would stay with them until the very end of the road. The rotations of police cars and tractors, combined with the tireless singing of the walkers, proved once again what the students are best at – finding the light at the end of the tunnel. “Stara Pazova welcomes students as liberators” – this is the description that many have used to describe the atmosphere with which the walkers were welcomed, and it is really difficult to find a better expression for this event. The row of people was squeezed between large groups of people who applauded and flashed their cellphone lights at them – everyone wanted to capture this moment. The walkers were escorted to a nearby park, where tables were set up in a line tens of meters long, filled with a variety of food, but also what made the students happy the most – freshly roasted meat. In addition to roasted meat, there were also crepes, pastries, as well as a variety of home-made and store-bought delicacies on the tables. Among other things, the locals donated blankets to the students for the upcoming night. After a hearty dinner and rekindled energy, they continued on probably the most difficult part of the journey on the first day – the road to Inđija. The tired students, who were already looking forward to the end of their twelve-hour walk, did not remain indifferent to the enthusiasm of the Inđija citizens who, despite the cold, came out in huge numbers to welcome them. Together with them, they went down to the place where wedding tents with heaters were prepared, as well as layers of styrofoam boards that provided the students with a more comfortable rest. Our responsible monitors, however, could not afford a break – they tirelessly unloaded beds and food for the night, taking into account which of the students would be accommodated in the homes of the locals, who generously offered to keep some of them from spending the night in the cold. Anyone who went camping knows how uncomfortable sleeping outdoors can be. Still, any rest is better than none, and it was necessary considering that the coming day promised to be even more strenuous than the first. The walkers awoke to a misty morning, surrounded by cold dew. However, campfires were lit to lift their spirits up and dry things out. As mentioned, the somewhat hillier areas at the foot of Fruška Gora may not seem like a big obstacle for a car, but even the gentlest climb puts enormous pressure on the legs that have been walking tirelessly all day. However, the beauty of this part of Serbia inspired them to continue as well as the constant support in every place they passed through. A local aviator gave them a free spectacle in the air, in which a military helicopter pilot greeted them in low flight. They made a shorter, but long-awaited break at the intersection of the Maradik-Beška road, after which they did not stop until the outskirts of Čortanovci, in the shadow of a magnificent church, where a similar scene awaited them as in Stara Pazova. Although this was supposed to be a short break, the walkers were so overwhelmed by the amount of food and supplies that they decided to stay a little longer. Although they weren’t supposed to arrive in Novi Sad for the next five hours, the walkers could already see the Liberty Bridge from the top of the hill they had laboriously climbed. Entering Sremski Karlovci, the walkers encountered a magnificent row of cyclists who had set off from Belgrade that morning, all the while being supported by the sirens of the trains that raced along the track along the road. After a short break in Sremski Karlovci, the last stage of the journey was before them. In pitch darkness, the walkers entered Petrovaradin, where they re-arranged for the last time, placing flags at the head of the row, and thus began their triumphal entry into the city of Freedom. Nothing could compare to the amount of people and emotions that greeted them. Entering the city via the Petrovaradin Bridge, on which a red carpet was spread, the walkers were sprinkled with flowers, greeted with hugs and tears of joy – scenes that they will surely remember for the rest of their lives. A particularly significant scene was the awarding with various medals by the locals, whose gesture blew away even the most serious ones. Someone said: “The people of Novi Sad haven’t been this happy to see the people from Belgrade since 1918.” After the ceremony of exchanging flags and honoring the victims at the Railway Station, a contrasting silence reigned for fifteen minutes. Taxi drivers, friends and spontaneous volunteers drove the exhausted students to the campus of the University of Novi Sad, where the walkers were hosted by sister faculties. Greeted by thunderous applause, placed in already prepared beds and with the medical assistance provided to them, the walkers fell into a well-deserved sleep. The next day, the largest protest in the history of Novi Sad was held. Side by side, citizens and students of both cities blocked the bridges, exchanged their impressions and ended their journey with a clear conclusion – as long as we are united, nothing can stop us on our way to Freedom.