Tens of thousands of students and citizens gathered in the southern Serbian city of Niš on Saturday in a mass protest demanding systemic reforms, free public transport, and improved education policies. The event, dubbed the “Students’ Edict,” saw demonstrators marching for 18 hours in what organizers called a historic show of civic engagement.
The protest, which began early in the morning, saw students reading a symbolic manifesto outlining their demands. The movement has gained momentum in recent weeks, drawing comparisons to similar protests across the country. Many demonstrators arrived in Niš on foot from various Serbian cities, emphasizing their commitment to the cause.
President Aleksandar Vučić responded to the unrest with promises of social benefits, including free city transport and textbooks for young students. The timing of these announcements has been widely interpreted as a move to mitigate dissent ahead of upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, taxi drivers from multiple cities mobilized to transport students back home after the protest. “The people welcomed us as heroes,” one driver told local media.
The demonstration concluded with a minute of silence for victims of a recent railway station accident, followed by a symbolic display of unity. Despite the scale of the protest, the city center remained clean the next morning, as students voluntarily collected waste overnight.
Organizers have announced the next major protest for March 15 in Belgrade, signaling continued unrest as dissatisfaction with the government’s policies grows. /BV
