Student Protest '96
December 2nd, 1996
12:00 CET (11:00 GMT) |
In spite of the snowstorm which started at around 11 AM some 15,000
students gathered at Plato. Many commentaries could be heard among the
students about open threats that had been uttered in yesterday's 7:30 PM
news-program at RTS (Serbian National Radio-Television Network), when it
had been stated that "citizen gatherings not previously scheduled,
which disrupt traffic and normal life in Belgrade and make it impossible
for the citizens to perform their regular duties" will not be tolerated
any longer.
The gathering started by the reading of the students' answer to the
statement of Dragan Tomic, in which he said that students were children
led astray" and other things. |
13:00 CET (12:00 GMT) |
In spite of the snowstorm and the 00 temperature, the protest walk
was not omitted today. The route was as follows: Kalemegdan -> by the
French Embassy -> by the Central Bus Terminal and the Central Railway
Station -> by the building of Serbian Supreme Court -> the first
turning left towards Kneza Milosa St. -> by the building of the Embassy
of the USA -> the "usual" route back to Plato.
The motto of today's walk was "Noise is in", so that the procession of students sounded their passing along the streets of Belgrade noisily. Once again, girls carrying flowers went in front the procession, and they were followed by the members of the Student Protest headquarters, with the slogan "Student Protest '96/'97". There were many original slogans and pictures, one of which was a poster of Dejan Savicevic, a famous soccer player, with the following message: "We want Dejo for our Rector". While passing by the building of Supreme Court, the procession paused for a short while and booed at that institution, but there were no unwelcome incidents. Besides, during today's walk past the building of Embassy of the USA, the building was surrounded by special police forces fully equipped. They even carried the shields. The students booed at the police officers, but the meaning of this masquerade remains unclear since no one can discern who it is that the police protect and from whom. |
Thanks to studprot@sezam.co.yu