Students across Serbia have taken to the streets following the tragic collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station, which claimed the lives of 15 individuals on November 1. This incident, rooted deeply within systemic issues of accountability and governmental negligence, sparked widespread outrage and mobilization from university students and the public alike.
Following the accident, demonstrations emerged rapidly, with students claiming the government had failed to oversee the proper safety standards during the renovation of the station, which had recently been remodeled as part of questionable infrastructural projects involving Chinese state companies. Protests have since spread to multiple cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Krusevac, and Sabac, demonstrating the collective frustration of citizens.
Thousands rallied under the banner of “Stop Serbia,” where they have conducted moments of silence to honor the victims. Traffic was halted for 15 minutes as students and supporters demanded greater transparency surrounding the government's accountability for construction decisions and the procedural inadequacies leading to the tragedy.
Frustration mounted as protests continued weekly; significant actions include the December 31 protest planned for Belgrade. Students communicated their resolve, stating, “There is no New - you still owe us the old,” emphasizing their belief it is more important to seek justice than indulge in holiday festivities.
The protests have faced political pushback, with Serbian officials—including Construction Minister Goran Vesic—resigning amid public pressure and subsequent investigations carried out by authorities. Over 13 arrests followed the incident, leading to accusations of negligence, which has fueled growing public skepticism surrounding the legitimacy of the government’s response to the disaster.
On December 15, student protestors gathered outside the Ministry of Education, symbolically leaving piles of old textbooks to signify their grievances. A student speaker boldly declared, “We are sick of being called political mercenaries and attacked in the streets,” directly addressing the attempts by governmental figures and state media to downplay the seriousness of the protests by framing them as politically motivated actions.
Despite political resistance, the movement has garnered overwhelming support from various sectors, with public figures, artists, and academics standing alongside the students. This unprecedented collaboration signifies the severe discontent over not only the train station tragedy but also the broader dissatisfaction with the current governance of President Aleksandar Vucic.
The protests are becoming more than just responses to the canopy disaster, they reflect deep-rooted frustrations against the government’s increasing authoritarian nature, with many citizens reviewing their calls for democracy and accountability. The symbol of the movement—a red handprint—reminds authorities of the bloodshed and negligence potentially present at the forefront of these infrastructural failures.
Support for Serbian students has also trickled across borders; recently, students from Bosnia Herzegovina have affirmed solidarity with their Serbian counterparts, uniting around shared experiences of government frustration and societal challenges.
Even as educators and high-profile activists lend their voice to the protests, Serbia continues to tread heavily on the road to European Union membership. President Vucic’s administration faces rising criticism for neglecting civil rights and democratic principles, even as the country ostensibly aligns itself with European values.
The students' protests serve as both immediate reactions to the Nov. 1 tragedy and powerful reflections on governmental accountability, transparency, and the call for change within Serbia—offering hope for sustainable activism stemming from tragedy.
