Progressives Call Rallies, University Students Urge Public to Ignore ‘Theatricals’

Milos Vucevic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party has published a video calling on the public to stand up against the ongoing protest blockades.

In Pozarevac, the local Progressives chapter invited citizens to a “peaceful march” at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 to express their dissatisfaction with “the public disturbances and violence” that have been going on for months throughout the country.

Invitations for simultaneous gatherings were issued in other cities and towns, including Becej, Vranje and Leskovac, with certain media claiming ruling party supporters will rally in as many as 50 locations.

Progressives party president Milos Vucevic called for rallies across Serbia, insisting that “the people are rising” because they are fed up with the blockades yet do not want to clash with anyone, even opposition protestors.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s protesting university students have stated they expect the Progressives to employ their usual tactic of boosting numbers by bussing supporters to rally locales – and have urged the public to stay home during the rallies, avoid conflict and refrain from engaging in what they dubbed regime “theatricals.”