At least 100,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade on Saturday in an anti-government protest, making it one of the largest demonstrations in Serbia’s history. Firecrackers were thrown into the crowd, and a group of protesters attempted to dismantle barriers surrounding the parliament building.

The Serbian police estimated the turnout at 107,000, while independent media reported significantly higher numbers, describing the gathering as the largest protest ever recorded in the country.

Incidents During the Protest

Several incidents were reported during the demonstration. A driver drove into a group of protesters, injuring three people, while another man threatened the organizers with an explosive device. In the evening, firecrackers were thrown into the crowd, prompting police intervention. A small group also attempted to tear down barriers surrounding the Serbian parliament building.

Demonstrators gathered in the evening at Slavija Square, the central point of the protest, after marching from various locations across Belgrade, including the parliament. The main part of the demonstration featured speeches and concerts.

Background of the Protest

Organized by students, the demonstration was part of an ongoing wave of protests sparked by the November 2024 train station tragedy in Novi Sad, where 15 people lost their lives after a section of the station’s roof collapsed. The Saturday protest, named „15 for 15,” referred to both the date of the gathering and the number of victims from the disaster. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and negligence, which they believe led to the structural failure.

As in previous protests, the demonstration included 15 minutes of silence in memory of the victims. The silence was then broken by whistles, vuvuzelas, anti-government chants, and car horns filling the streets of Belgrade.

President Vučić’s Response

„We will have to change and learn a lot,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the demonstration.

„I hope that most of Serbia has understood the message—that citizens do not want a ‘color revolution,’ they do not want violence, and they want to change the government through elections,” he added. Vučić has repeatedly described the ongoing protests as a „color revolution” allegedly orchestrated with the support of foreign agents.

Protest Ends Early After Clashes

The protest was cut short after a series of incidents, leading organizers to declare that „this is no longer a student protest” and call on attendees to return home. Students began cleaning up Slavija Square, while traffic in parts of the city gradually returned to normal.

„I am proud that 99% of protesting students did not seek violence,” President Vučić stated. However, he described the protest as being filled with „immense negative energy and anger toward the authorities.” He expressed relief that there were no fatalities or serious injuries during the demonstration.

Casualties and Arrests

According to Vučić, 56 people were injured, but none are in critical condition. Authorities arrested 22 individuals on charges of vandalism, assaulting police officers, and other violent acts.

The Public Assembly Archive, an organization that monitors mass gatherings in Serbia, estimated that between 275,000 and 325,000 people took part in the demonstration, making it the largest protest in the country’s history. Serbian police, however, maintained their estimate of over 107,000 participants.