Students involved in the ongoing blockade of higher education institutions in Belgrade have criticized the “Strength of Unity” military parade, calling it “anything but unity,” and questioned the authorities on why citizens were prevented from attending the event.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the students wrote:
“Despite the sincere desire of citizens, responding to the students’ invitation, to support their army and participate in the event, they were denied entry to a public celebration. We ask why we were denied the right to attend an event that is supposed to bring us together and unite us?”
The students also questioned why law enforcement blocked part of the public on a day meant to celebrate national unity and strength, asking who authorized the gendarmerie cordon around them.
“By whose orders were we surrounded by the police yesterday? Who is creating such divisions among us?”
They urged citizens to join a peaceful march on Saturday, starting at the roundabout near the Municipality of New Belgrade, before proceeding to the parade near the Palace of Serbia, though their attempt was reportedly blocked by heavy police forces.
