Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade, Serbia demanding higher security, censorship of violence on television, and the resignation of ministers after two violent mass shootings.
The Balkan country had not seen a gathering of such numbers in decades when protesters arrived in Belgrade. They walked solemnly behind a large poster reading “Serbia Against Violence.”
Borivoje Plecivic, from Belgrade, says they have gathered to pay their last respects to the victims. They hope these protests will ensure that such incidents do not occur anywhere again.
The first mass shooting took place at a school. The perpetrator was a schoolboy who brought two handguns to school and killed six students and a security guard. He also injured another six students and a teacher.
The second shooter was a 21-year-old man. He was brandishing an assault rifle and a pistol in public. He killed eight and managed to injure fourteen more. Both shooters soon surrendered to the authorities.
The protesters demand
Let’s Not Let Belgrade Drown, Serbia’s Leftist Party released a statement demanding the immediate removal of violent content published in the media and online. They also demand answers from the authorities regarding their incompetence and lack of responsibility.
Marina Vedijovic, a school teacher, commented that they have gathered in Belgrade because they have waited long enough for the officials’ response. They have come together to fight for the safety of their children at school, in public spaces, in villages, and cities.
Snezana, a 60-year-old woman, commented that they have gathered in solidarity for the lives lost and the suffering of innocent children. She states that they will continue to fight against the violence prevalent in the media and in parliament.
Protesters have also demanded an emergency Parliamentary meeting and debate on the overall security of the country. Such protests have been carried out in other Serbian cities as well.
A political perspective on the Protests
President Aleksander Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party have been accused of autocracy, suppressing freedom of the media, etc. He is also accused of committing violence against competitors and corruption and has affiliations with organised crime. Vucic and his allies deny these accusations.
Vucic released a statement stating that these accusations are an attempt to get him to step down from office. Such actions can only destabilise the country. He has also announced a snap vote to test his popularity. No date has been mentioned as of yet.
Vucic spoke on live television, stating that he would not submit to such demands. He will continue to work despite reorganising his government or winning reelection. The Education Minister, Branko Ruzic, resigned amidst the protests.
Resignations of the Interior Minister and director of the state security agency, Bratislav Gasic and Aleksander Vulin, respectively. They also demanded the dissolution of the Regulatory Committee on Electronic Media (REM).
Victims of the Mass Shootings
The first mass shooting occurred at an elementary school in Belgrade. The shooter was a 13-year-old school student who had his father’s weapons. He shot and killed seven girls, one boy, and a security guard.
The boy is admitted to a mental health clinic. He is too young to be charged criminally yet. His father was arrested for teaching the boy how to shoot and overlooking the security of his weapons.
The second mass shooting took place in two villages in central Serbia. The shooter was a 21-year-old man. He shot and killed eight people. The shooting took place in the villages of Malo Orašje and Dubona.
The victims of the second shooting include five young men, an off-duty police officer and his sister, and one civilian.
Measures to combat gun violence
Serbian police are providing a month-long amnesty for surrendering illegally acquired weapons. It is a response to the shootings. On the first day, 1,500 weapons were collected.
Vucic has also announced regular checks on those owning registered guns.
The last time Serbia witnessed a mass shooting of such scale was when a war veteran shot and killed 13.