A group of around 200 ethnic Serbs from Kosovo, adorned with Serbian flags and banners, set out on foot towards Belgrade on Sunday, aiming to attend a major rally on April 12 in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. This demonstration, reminiscent of similar events in 2019 and 2023, is organized to show solidarity with the Serbian president, with the goal of backing his political stance.
The group embarked on their journey from Rudnica, a town in the Raška district near the Jarinje border crossing, and allegedly planned to cover over 260 kilometers to reach the Serbian capital. As they made their way through the municipality of Raška, towards Kraljevo, they were filmed by pro-regime media, posing with Serbian flags and a banner reading „Gračanica, Kosovo and Metohija,“ while chanting „Kosovo is the heart of Serbia“ and „Kosovo – Serbia.“
Milan Rajek, a member of the group from North Mitrovica, spoke to the media on Sunday, expressing their reportedly unwavering determination despite adverse weather conditions.
“Although it is snowing and raining, we gathered here to march for Belgrade and support the president,” Rajek said, standing with others holding Serbian flags. “He has always been with us when it was hardest; our country has always been with us.“
The group also includes Ivan Cvetković, a para-athlete from the village of Straža in the Novo Brdo municipality, who emphasized the group’s resolve to reach the rally despite the challenging weather.
„The rain and snow will not stop us from achieving our goal and arriving safely at the big gathering this Saturday,“ he added.
The participants, who hail from various parts of Kosovo, including Gračanica, Pomoravlje, North Mitrovica, Zvečan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavić, have expressed their intent to support Vučić, citing his past support for the Serbian people during difficult times.
A Show of Support for Vučić’s „Movement for the People and the State“
The rally in Belgrade is tied to the presentation of the „Movement for the People and the State,“ an initiative launched by President Vučić. The movement has received the backing of the Serbian List, the main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo. This political group showed its support on March 23, immediately following Vučić’s initiative.
The president himself has described the upcoming gathering as a crucial event, calling it “larger than Gazimestan in 1989,” emphasizing the people’s frustration with the current situation.
Vučić framed the ongoing protests in Serbia, led largely by students, as an attempt to destabilize the country both from within and outside. He urged his supporters to join him in Belgrade, underscoring the need restore to security, revitalize the economy, and secure the country’s future.
As tensions rise with ongoing student protests in Serbia, Vučić has framed these demonstrations as part of a larger external conspiracy.
„Much money has been spent to achieve these goals, and now they say they are against violence, only to change their tune and spread terror in Serbia,“ the president stated, urging the public to support his administration in reclaiming control.
A Warm Reception and Rising Concerns
As the group reached the town of Ušće on Sunday, they were reportedly greeted by local residents who offered them applause and Serbian flags. Children dressed in traditional costumes served them bread and salt, a symbolic gesture of hospitality in Serbian culture. The group received a message of encouragement from Vučić, who posted on social media, thanking them for their dedication and affection for Serbia.
While the group’s trek continued, reaching Kraljevo was the next major milestone on their journey. However, concerns arose as local students in Kraljevo raised alarms about the group’s possible accommodation in the student dormitories. They noted that preparations were being made in the dormitory, even though the students’ personal belongings had not been moved out.
When the journalist from TV N1 today followed this group during part of their walk, after a few members gave statements, they were soon stopped by others in the group. Additionally, this television has also been accused of being hostile to Serbia.
Critics, particularly from the ‘Otadžbina’ movement, questioned the legitimacy of the group’s march, suggesting that many of the participants were inadequately prepared for such a long journey, alluding to a possible forgery. They argued that the support for Vučić was part of a larger, orchestrated effort to maintain control and suppress opposition, labeling the actions as a betrayal of the broader Serbian populace, which has increasingly mobilized against the government.
„It is bizarre that Serbs from Kosovo are walking to support their own betrayal; history will not forgive them, and neither will the people,“ stated Otadžbina.
More local users on social media have been distancing themselves from this group of Serbs for the second day, accusing them, as well as President Vučić, of a hybrid march, copying the students, insincerity, and betrayal.
Counter-Reactions from the Serbian List
The Serbian List, the leading political party for Serbs in Kosovo, responded sharply to the criticism. In a statement, they accused their detractors of hypocrisy, emphasizing that the group’s efforts symbolized patriotism and a commitment to the future of Serbia.
They contrasted the genuine support of the Kosovo Serbs with the alleged opportunism of certain figures within the opposition, claiming that the opposition leaders were responsible for significant damage to the Serbian people during their tenure.
The Serbian List further defended President Vučić, highlighting the tangible progress made under his leadership, including the construction of new infrastructure, job creation, and improvements in healthcare and education.
„These people walking to Belgrade will be remembered for their patriotism, while those who criticize them will be remembered for betraying the Serbian people,“ the statement concluded.
A Divided Narrative
While the march is in pro-regime media introduced as a display of unwavering loyalty to President Vučić, others see it as a manifestation of political control and manipulation, questioning the sincerity and independence of those involved.
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