Serbia against Violence Protest in Belgrade

The second protest under the slogan Serbia against Violence was held in Belgrade on May 12 (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

A protest under the slogan Serbia against Violence was held in Belgrade on May 12, where the organizers called on protesters to assemble in front of the Serbian parliament building during a discussion on the victims of two recent mass murders in Serbia and the responsibility of the authorities.

The demands of citizens and some opposition parties were read, and it was stressed that all of the demands must be met. This includes sacking members of the Electronic Media Regulatory Body Council, Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, Security and Information Agency director Aleksandar Vulin, shutting down the print media and revoking the national broadcasting licenses of the Pink and Happy TV stations for "spreading hatred, violence and fear," the cancellation of programs that promote violence and calling a security-themed session of the Serbian parliament.

The protest was peaceful and passed without incident. Ambulances were allowed to pass on three occasions. Protesters blocked the Gazela Bridge during the demonstrations. According to the organizers' estimates, the rally attracted much more people than the first one on May 8 held under the same slogan, which gathered an estimated 50,000 people. The Serbia against Violence protest, organized by the the Democratic Party, the People's Party, the Green Left Front  - Don't Let Belgrade Drown, the Together party, the Freedom and Justice Party, the Free Citizens' Movement, the Concord trade union and Movement for a Turnaround, was not partisan, the parties said earlier.