On the anniversary of last year’s historic student protest, the “Država to smo mi” (“We Are the State”) gathering kicked off today at 16:00, organized by students of the University of Niš. The protest marks the moment when the “Students’ Edict” was adopted, a symbolic document outlining the vision for the future and the society students and free citizens aspire to build.
Citizens assembled at two main locations – near the Court of Appeals and at the roundabout by Delta – before converging on King Milan Square, the central hub of the protest. Reporters estimate that several thousand participants are currently present.
Students, marathoners, and cyclists who traveled from Belgrade arrived at the square, and from the stage, speakers vowed to “keep pushing until elections are announced, through the campaign, victory, and the defense of that victory.”
Veterans also attended, laying a wreath at the Monument to the Liberators of Niš. Notable figures at the gathering included former New Party leader and acting Democratic Party president Zoran Živković and members of the Promene u fokusu (PUF) movement.
The protest drew motorcyclists to the square, while reports noted a group of men dressed in black near Niš TV, a pro-government media outlet not officially registered with Serbia’s media regulatory authorities.
Student volunteer Bogdan emphasized that participants are calling for change in the country, fulfillment of protest demands, and early elections. He clarified that the protest is local in nature and not a competition for attendance, referencing last year’s massive demonstration.
“We want to show that the south of Serbia is not silent, that we remain active, and we will not give up until all our demands are met,” Bogdan stated.
The day’s program includes wreath-laying at the monument, the national anthem “Bože pravde” at 17:45, and the “Moja otadžbina” program at 18:00. A 16-minute moment of silence at 18:10 will commemorate the 16 victims of the Nov 1, 2024, ceiling collapse at the Novi Sad railway station. Performances from “Što te nema,” “Država to smo mi,” and “Uključi se i ti!” will continue until 19:15, concluding with the Blokadni choir, and the event is expected to wrap up by 19:30.
This protest serves as a reminder of the power of student activism in Niš and the continued push for political accountability and societal reform.
