In North Mitrovica today, students and citizens gathered for the ninth time to honor the victims of the tragic incident at the Novi Sad train station. A 15-minute silence was observed at precisely 11:52 AM, the time when the station’s roof collapsed on November 1st, 2024, killing 15 people and severely injuring two others.
The gathering, organized by a group of students from the University of Pristina, temporarily based in North Mitrovica, took place near the Kneza Lazara Square. Approximately 100 people, mostly students, attended the event, with one student holding a sign that read: “Do not create an idol or any figure for yourself, do not bow to them or serve them.”
Kosovo police monitored the event, as they have at previous gatherings, with KFOR also present. Despite the somber atmosphere, some passersby expressed frustration, with one remarking, “Go protest in Belgrade, we don’t need this on top of everything else.”
Zoran Ratković, a drama student at the Faculty of Arts and a member of the organizing group, expressed his frustration at the low turnout, stating that despite the support for their peers in Serbia, few students in North Mitrovica seemed to recognize the seriousness of the situation.
“Cafeterias here are full, and only about 50 of us gather. I’m disappointed that people here are not aware of what is happening. I urge my colleagues to think deeply and understand the gravity of the situation. If we don’t fight now, nothing will change, and things will only get worse.”
However, he is in good spirits and expects changes, and his colleagues were also in high spirits, rewarding him with applause after his address to the media. „Pump up! Pump up!“ they cheered, which has spontaneously become the slogan of months-long student marches and gatherings across Serbia.
Ratković also confirmed that students are preparing to travel to Belgrade for a large student protest scheduled for March 15th. The local bus company, Joe Travel, led by Goran Antić, is coordinating transportation for those attending, with more than 50 individuals already signed up. The bus will depart on Saturday at 6:45 AM.
In a statement shared with KoSSev at the city square, local resident Tijana Stajić Vasić emphasized the need for a normal country, one where justice isn’t sought through protests. “We all need to stop attacking each other. We are all Serbs, and we shouldn’t be divided because of someone seeking power,” she said.
As the students prepare for the protest in Belgrade, they continue to express their desire for change, hoping that it will bring an end to corruption and create a better future.
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