Serbia blocked, two major protests warned, a general strike

Today, a general strike is under way in Serbia, initiated by students and high school students, with the support of different trade unions and professional associations.

This is the second major strike this year, after that held on 24 January. Most institutions will be blocked, and in the country's largest cities led by the regime of Aleksandar Vuciqi, this strike will be held.

Events in Novi Sad

Students at Novi Sad University planned to gather at campus at 10:00, followed by a protest walk at 10:30. At 11:52 before the Serbian National Theatre, a 15-minute honour is scheduled for victims.

Next, the walk will continue at 12:07, and is expected to be completed at 4: 00 p.m.

Workers' unions in public institutions in Novi Sad have offered their support, but have not confirmed they will join the protest.

Events in Belgrade

Belgrade's several schools, including the Nikola Tesla Electronic School, the Math School, the First Gymnasium, the Third and Fifth Gymnasium, and the Sveti Sava High School, have warned a rally at 3:30.

The protest trip will begin at 4: 00 a.m., with roads scheduled for the Ministry of Education, the Court of Appeals, the Government of Serbia and the Palace of Justice. Between 17:30 and 17:45 will hold 15 minutes of silence, followed by fifteen minutes of noise. The talks will begin at 6:00, while the protest is scheduled to end at 7:00.

Several groups of students from inside plan to go to Belgrade on foot, which they have already practiced during previous protests.

Nis Tasks

An informal group of students from the University of Nis is organising a protest supporting teachers under the title “No ease of tensions”.

The student's statement organising protests and blockades reportedly will take place at 11:30 in front of the Foundation Court building, and then 15 minutes of silence will be held, starting at 11:52, to honour the victims in Novi Sad.

After that, a protest walk will be organised to the School Directorate.

Students called on Nis citizens to join the general strike and suspend all activities.

Kraguyevci lawyers on general strike

The Kraguyevci Lawyers' Oda has decided to quit working for today, thus joining the students' call for a general strike.

During the suspension of work, lawyers and members of the Kraguyevci Oda of Lawyers will not act before courts and other state bodies in the Republic of Serbia, except in procedures in which decisions are made that day for the appointment of custody of citizens, in detention cases and in procedures conducted against minor perpetrators of criminal acts, in procedures imposed on provisional measures for the criminal act of domestic violence.

Calls for solidarity, end of work

Organisers urged citizens to take a day off or a medical vacation, not to work with their colleagues, not to use cafe services, restaurants, betting points, not shopping in supermarkets, not to visit cinemas and theatres. Instead, they suggest that citizens spend the day with family and friends.

Several faculties in Belgrade and Novi Sad are expected to cancel lectures to allow students to participate in the protests.

Serbia's Trusting Union has supported students' demands, but has not commented on official layoffs. On the other hand, independent labour unions and workers in public enterprises expressed solidarity, but did not announce active participation.

“We support young people's demands, but we believe a successful general strike requires better co-ordination and unity among unions,” said a representative of one of the largest trade unions in Serbia.

National Library of Serbia on strike too

Workers at the National Library of Serbia are on a general strike since March 6th in the meeting held on February 26th, the executive board of the Serbian National Library Union decided initially by majority to back the Republican Board of Independent Culture decision on February 26th and suspend the work of Serbia's National Library.

Workers there have quit their jobs every day since 28 February, between 4:00 and 2: 00 p.m.

However, the union has also decided to go on a general strike from March 6th to a second announcement. We remember that this week the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra was on strike, while between today and 9 March, the National Theatre Orchestra has suspended work as well.