In North Mitrovica, a 15-minute silent protest was held for the first time to honor the 15 victims who lost their lives in the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad train station. The event was initiated by local resident Srđan Đorđević, who has previously voiced his support for student protests across Serbia.
Gathering in front of the Faculty of Philosophy, approximately 100 citizens joined the commemoration.
They held banners reading messages such as „Support for Students from Kosovo and Metohija“ and „The hardest thing is to wake a man pretending to sleep (think about it).“ A large white banner featured a symbol of student resistance across Serbia: a red fist, symbolizing their demand for institutional accountability.
Đorđević addressed the attendees, reading the names of the 15 victims and calling for 15 minutes of silence.
„Dear citizens, thank you for responding to this call to honor the memory of the 15 people who died at the Novi Sad train station, a tragedy that sparked mass protests across Serbia. It’s not easy to express opinions, solidarity, or dissent under current circumstances, but today, we are here. I will now read the names of the deceased, after which I ask for 15 minutes of silence,“ he stated.
The silence began precisely at 11:52 a.m., marking the exact time on November 1 last year when the renovated canopy collapsed, killing 15 people. The protest concluded at 12:07 p.m. Đorđević closed the commemoration with the words, „Eternal glory to them!“
He also expressed gratitude to those who stood in solidarity, likening them to prominent figures such as Novak Djokovic, Danica Crnogorčević, and Bogdan Bogdanović. The event was monitored by Kosovo police, who provided security, while a drone was also deployed to oversee the gathering.
Student Disputes Over Support Statements
Previously, a controversy arose regarding an earlier statement from the „Student Parliament“ organization, which distanced itself from the event. The statement criticized Serbian students for allegedly failing to disavow perceived support for Kosovo’s Prime Minister, whom they accused of oppressing Serbs in Kosovo.
However, students attending the protest rejected the statement, claiming it did not represent the majority opinion. A student present at the protest said, „As a student, I want to distance myself from that statement.“
Jovan Zafirović, an aphorist and student at the Faculty of Philosophy, echoed these sentiments. He revealed that many students he spoke to were unaware of the statement and did not support its content.
„Who gave the Student Parliament the right to speak for all students without consultation? This statement is illegitimate,“ Zafirović stated, adding that fear among students might explain the low turnout.
Broader Protests Across Serbia
The silent protest in North Mitrovica coincided with broader demonstrations and a general strike across Serbia, dubbed „civil disobedience.“
Organized by students in blockades, the movement called on citizens to suspend daily activities:
„Do not go to work, do not attend lectures, do not carry out everyday tasks. Take freedom into your own hands. Your participation makes a difference,“ read a statement from the organizers.
The initiative has received support from independent media, cultural institutions, associations, political parties, companies, and individuals. Even lawyers joined the strike.
Four Serbian-language news portals in Kosovo also ceased operations for 15 minutes in solidarity.
Meanwhile, Serbian authorities have threatened pay cuts for those participating in work stoppages.
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