The organisers stated they didn’t need individuals to deliver banners or whistles, and there have been no political speeches. Right now was about commemoration, not protest.
Nevertheless, the picture of tens of 1000’s lining town’s avenues was an announcement in itself.
Folks had been travelling to Novi Unhappy for days. The prepare line from Belgrade was shut due to a reported bomb scare and a few roads had been closed, however the crowds slowly making their strategy to the centre of town had been huge and all ages.
Picture:
Folks fill the streets close to the prepare station. Pic: AP/Armin Durgut
It was sombre and quiet.
I noticed docs and medical employees in uncontrollable tears as they laid wreaths to the 16 useless.
The prepare station, purported to be an emblem of Serbian modernity and large infrastructure, has turn out to be an emblem of corruption and cost-cutting for a lot of.
Right now it’s empty, the uncovered concrete beams a reminder of what occurred 12 months in the past and motivation for a protest motion that has grown over the yr and is demanding change.
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Why an enormous march is going on in Serbia in the present day
“You’re not welcome here today,” I used to be advised, earlier than he realised his mistake.
As an alternative Serbian battle veterans, now part of the protest group, had been the seen presence and an indication of how the motion has unfold via generations.
They protected the households of the victims as they laid flowers outdoors the constructing the place their family members died.
Picture:
Doves launched in reminiscence of the victims. Pic: AP/Marko Drobnjakovic
Serbia’s President had declared 24 hours of nationwide mourning on Friday night – it in all probability helped decrease tensions however could have carried out little to scale back the anger.
The day handed with out violence, as was hoped, however there’s little doubt that tense days lie forward.
The Serbian authorities is underneath stress however to this point unmovable. This has turn out to be a battle for the way forward for the nation.
The protest motion believes it has momentum, they usually appear completely decided to hold on.
