2024 Novi Sad protests

Since 1 November 2024, protests have been ongoing in Novi Sad, Serbia, sparked by the partial collapse of the Novi Sad railway station, which left 15 people dead. The unrest has led to clashes between protesters and law enforcement, property damage, and widespread public concern.

On 1 November 2024, the canopy of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing 15 people and leaving 2 others with non-critical injuries. The collapse shocked the nation, with many questioning the structural integrity and maintenance oversight of public infrastructure. Authorities launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, but public frustration grew due to perceived delays and lack of accountability in the response.^{[citation needed]}

Early protests primarily took the form of quiet vigils for victims of the collapse.^[1] However, these protests began to morph into larger and angrier demonstrations, with demonstrators accusing police and local authorities of negligence and corruption. Protesters have demanded a transparent investigation into the collapse, and the release of documents related to the incident. The collapse has also served as a flashpoint to expressions of dissatisfaction with the Serbian government as a whole.^[1]

Some demonstrations escalated into acts of vandalism, with the Novi Sad City Hall being a primary target. Windows were shattered,^[2] and graffiti was put up. Red paint was thrown on the city hall entrance^[3][4] and attempts were made to breach the building.^[5] Law enforcement responded with tear gas and arrests,^[3][4][2] further inflaming tensions. Protesters have suggested that these and other violent demonstrations are the result of government plants seeking to derail the protests.^[3]

Students have also blocked educational buildings amid the tension.^[6]

A common protester slogan has been "corruption kills".^[7] Protest symbols have included red handprints ("blood on the hands" of authorities and bleeding doves.^[1][8]

One November demonstration in Novi Sad drew 20,000 protesters, making it the largest protest in the city in decades.^[7] Demonstrators have held weekly 15-minute traffic blockade protests on Fridays at 11:52 am, the time of the collapse.^[9] Cars have hit some protesters during these blockades.^[10][11]

In addition to local concerns, the riots have attracted international attention, with several human rights organizations calling for restraint from law enforcement and an independent investigation into the collapse. Reports suggest that some protesters have begun organizing online, spreading their grievances to a wider audience and potentially gaining solidarity from activists abroad. Meanwhile, local businesses in the affected areas have suffered considerable losses, with many forced to close due to the ongoing instability. The Serbian government has pledged to restore order, but its measures have been met with skepticism, further complicating efforts to bring the situation under control.^{[citation needed]}

On 1 December, a silent march was held in Novi Sad to commemorate one month since the collapse.^[12]

By early December, Serbian students had begun organizing 24-hour blockades at some school campuses.^[11]

By mid-December, more than 50 university campuses and multiple secondary schools had suspended classes due to student protests.^[10] On 11 December, students demonstrated at the headquarters of television station RTS, for their broadcasting of President Aleksandar Vučić's claims that demonstrators are being funded by Western countries who seek to destabilize Serbia.^[13][10][14] The same day, Vučić made concessions including promising that all prosecutorial documents related to the disaster would be publicized, announced that all currently held protestors were released, and pledged to pardon any protestors if they were convicted at trial. While the concessions marked the first time since Vučić's rise to power in 2012 that any concessions were made to protestors, they did not include the protest's calls for his resignation.^[15]

On 13 December, farmers in central Serbia blocked a road with tractors.^[10]

As of December, protesters continue to gather in large numbers, demanding justice for the victims of the collapse and greater transparency in governance. Police presence in the city has been significantly increased, and there have been sporadic clashes reported. Efforts at dialogue between protest leaders and government officials have so far failed to de-escalate the situation.^{[citation needed]}

Due to police brutality and paid hooligans that attack civilians and protestors, opposition leaders, students, farmers and independent demonstrators organized a large-scale protest on December 22, at Slavija Square, Belgrade.^[16] The protest had "tens of thousands" of participants. ^[17]