The student movement in Serbia shows no signs of slowing down. While not all faculties are expected to enter total blockade again, as was the case with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, students have declared they will continue their protests every day “until there is justice.”
At precisely 11:52 a.m., the heart of Belgrade fell silent — except for the sound of crows. For 16 minutes, a symbolic silence filled the city center as students, citizens, and new supporters stood together in protest.
Tamara, a student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, explained that while initial blockades were necessary, the movement has since evolved:
“Now our struggle has taken a new form. We realized over the summer that there are other ways to fight — maybe a total blockade is not always necessary. Our organizing can continue in different ways,” Tamara said.
Public support for the students remains strong, as demonstrated during the march to the commemorative gathering in Novi Sad earlier this week.
Government Repression Intensifies
Despite a year of continuous protests, students, professors, and citizens agree that the situation has only worsened.
“Not only did the government fail to meet the demands we made last December — they’ve doubled down and behaved even worse,” said Oliver Tošković, professor at the Faculty of Philosophy. “This kind of rebellion is a natural reaction. Whether it spreads, I don’t know, but I’m certain it must continue.”
The five original student demands — centered on the functioning of democratic institutions and accountability for state violence — remain unmet. Instead, students and supporters face increasing repression, including job dismissals and intimidation.
“Our demands are clear — we fight for the rule of law and functioning institutions. The government’s refusal to hold elections, even as the entire country demands them, shows how detached they’ve become,” Tamara added.
Veterinary Students Resume Full Blockade
In response to the government’s continued indifference, students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine have once again closed their doors, repeating the now-iconic message: “Your hands are stained with blood.”
“From the very beginning, not a single step has been taken to meet our demands. Instead, repression has only intensified since Vidovdan,” said Vukan, a veterinary student and one of the movement’s organizers.
After marching for months across Serbia, the students have inspired a nationwide movement of civic resistance — one that now extends beyond university campuses to cities and villages across the country.
“It’s good that the protest has moved beyond the universities and into everyday life,” Professor Tošković said. “That’s how this fight will truly grow.”
Whatever form of protest the students choose next, their message is clear and gaining strength: they fight without violence, with persistence and integrity, and for a Serbia where justice replaces fear.
