“Serbia against Violence” protest in Belgrade, May 12 2023 (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)
A third protest rally under the slogan "Serbia Against Violence," initiated by a part of the parliamentary opposition, will take place outside the Serbian parliament building on May 19.
The protest demands are: dismissal of members of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and Security Information Agency chief Aleksandar Vulin, closing of certain print media and revoking of national broadcasting licenses to the Pink and Happy televisions, which, according to the organizers, "spread hatred, violence and fear," and the cancellation of shows that promote violence.
A demand at the previous two rallies had been the scheduling of a parliamentary sitting dedicated to security, and that sitting began on May 18.
The demands were also read out at the start of the previous two rallies in front of the parliament building.
At the first rally, on May 8, demonstrators marched from the parliament to the government headquarters, whereas at the second rally, on May 12, they went to the Gazela Bridge which was then - along with the highway up to the NIS gas station in New Belgrade - blocked for two hours.
According to the organizers' earlier announcements, there are no plans to block the highway on May 19.
Caucuses of the Democratic Party, the People's Party, the Green-Left Club, We Must - Together, and United called on citizens on May 5 to take part in the protest under the slogan "Serbia Against Violence." The Dveri movement caucus has also supported the protests, and the event's non-party nature has been stressed.
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