On the morning of October 30, 2025, the streets of Belgrade, Serbia, were alive with the determined footsteps of thousands of young people embarking on a two-day march to the northern city of Novi Sad. Their destination: a major rally scheduled for November 1, set to mark the first anniversary of a deadly tragedy that has come to symbolize a nation’s frustration and a generation’s demand for change.
It was a year ago that a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station collapsed, killing 16 people—a disaster that, according to the Associated Press, unleashed a youth-led protest movement against President Aleksandar Vucic’s government. The demonstrators, many of them university students, believe that government corruption and negligence during a rushed renovation directly led to the fatal collapse. Their grief has since transformed into a powerful call for accountability and reform.
The marchers, waving flags and chanting slogans, set out on a 90-kilometer (58-mile) journey northward, their spirits buoyed by the support of Belgrade residents. As the column of protesters wound its way through the city, people emerged from their homes to cheer them on—some honked horns, others waved or blew whistles, and a few were seen wiping away tears. The emotion in the air was unmistakable: this was more than just a walk; it was a public outcry for justice and a future free from corruption.
"Nothing has changed and we are going there (to Novi Sad) hoping that it finally will change," said Mihajlo Jovanovic, a sports academy student from Belgrade, as quoted by the Associated Press. His words echoed the sentiments of many in the crowd, who see the march as both a memorial for the victims and a direct challenge to the political status quo.
Veterinary student Ana Marija Seslija, also interviewed by the Associated Press, described her motivation simply: "We are walking to show that our struggle has not stopped and that we are all still active." Her statement underscores the persistence and unity of Serbia’s youth, who have kept up the pressure for months despite mounting obstacles.
The protest movement is not limited to the capital. Over the past two weeks, various student groups have been trekking across Serbia, converging on Novi Sad for the anniversary rally. Organizers expect tens of thousands to gather on November 1, a show of strength designed to pile pressure on President Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
But the government has not taken kindly to this groundswell of dissent. According to the Associated Press, authorities have detained scores of university students and other protesters in recent months, with accusations of police brutality—including beatings and arbitrary detentions—fueling further anger. The crackdown has only served to galvanize the movement, as stories of mistreatment circulate on social media and in the press.
Despite the public outcry, justice for the victims of the Novi Sad station collapse has been slow to materialize. Thirteen people have been charged in connection with the disaster, but as of October 31, 2025, no trial date has been set. Many protesters remain skeptical that the legal proceedings will ever fully expose what they allege is a web of top-level corruption and disregard for safety during the station’s renovation.
President Vucic, for his part, has responded with defiance. Without offering evidence, he has branded the student protesters as Western-backed "terrorists," a claim that has further polarized an already tense political climate. The Serbian Progressive Party, meanwhile, has organized counterrallies, seeking to rally its own supporters and project an image of strength. These dueling demonstrations have heightened tensions, with both sides accusing the other of undermining Serbia’s stability.
The stakes are high for Serbia, which is formally seeking to join the European Union. Yet, as the Associated Press notes, the country’s accession process has stalled. Critics point to Vucic’s close ties with Russia and China and accuse his government of clamping down on democratic freedoms—allegations that have drawn concern from European officials and contributed to the sense of drift.
For the young marchers, however, the immediate focus remains on accountability and the hope for political renewal. They see the Novi Sad disaster not as an isolated event, but as the tragic result of a system that rewards loyalty over competence and puts public safety at risk. Their demands are clear: justice for the victims, an end to corruption, and an early parliamentary election that could unseat Vucic’s populist government.
Some older Serbians remember previous waves of protest and are watching with a mixture of pride and apprehension. The current movement is notable for its youth and its sense of urgency, but also for the creative ways in which it has mobilized support. From social media campaigns to grassroots organizing, the protesters have shown a knack for drawing attention both at home and abroad.
As the marchers near Novi Sad, the atmosphere is one of anticipation—and, for many, a flicker of hope. The anniversary rally on November 1 is expected to be the largest demonstration since the disaster, with organizers hoping that the sheer scale will force the government to respond. Whether that response brings meaningful change remains to be seen, but the determination of Serbia’s youth is unmistakable.
In the words of Ana Marija Seslija, "we are all still active." For the thousands walking toward Novi Sad, that activity is more than a protest—it’s a promise to the victims, and a message to those in power: Serbia’s future will not be decided in silence.
