Serbia youth lead thousands on march for weekend rally marking deadly canopy collapse last year

Thousands of young people in Serbia have embarked on a significant two-day march from Belgrade, heading towards a major rally in the northern city of Novi Sad this weekend. The event marks the anniversary of a tragic accident last year, when a concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s central train station collapsed, killing 16 people on November 1. This disaster has sparked a youth-led protest movement across the country, fueled by accusations that government corruption was behind the shoddy renovation work that caused the collapse. Leading the march are university students waving flags and chanting demands for justice and accountability. They are calling for an early parliamentary election to remove the current populist government led by President Aleksandar Vucic. Many of these young protestors believe the disaster could’ve been avoided if not for government negligence and poor oversight during the station’s renovation. The march itself covers around 90 kilometers (58 miles), symbolizing the long and arduous road to truth and reform. As the marchers pass through towns and villages, locals come outside to show their support. People honk their horns, wave, and even cry, reflecting the deep emotional impact of the tragedy on Serbian society. Mihajlo Jovanovic, a sports academy student from Belgrade, expressed his frustration, saying "nothing has changed," but hope remains that the rally in Novi Sad will finally bring about real change. Veterinary student Ana Marija Seslija added that their journey is a statement that the fight for justice is still alive and active. The government’s response to these protests has been harsh. Authorities have detained scores of university students and activists in recent months, with multiple reports of police brutality, including beatings and arbitrary arrests. Despite 13 people being charged in connection with the disaster, no trial date has been set, leading many to doubt whether the judicial process will truly expose the alleged high-level corruption and safety violations that led to the collapse. President Vucic has publicly labeled the student protesters as Western-backed "terrorists," without providing evidence. Meanwhile, his Serbian Progressive Party has organized counterrallies, heightening political tensions within the country. Serbia’s ambitions to join the European Union have stalled, partly due to Vucic’s close relations with Russia and China and accusations that his administration undermines democratic freedoms. This weekend’s planned rally in Novi Sad is expected to draw tens of thousands of people, putting considerable pressure on the government. The youth-led movement remains determined to keep pushing their demands for justice, accountability, and political change, hoping that the tragedy that shook their nation will not be forgotten or swept under the rug.