Protests in Serbia are gaining strength

Protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, have demanded the government to ease its grip on the country's main media, as reported by EuroNews. During this weekend's rallies, people surrounded the Serbian state television building to press their demand for President Aleksandar Vučić to ease his tight grip on the country's main media and allow alternative voices.

Tens of thousands of people streamed into the streets of Belgrade, a day after the president Vučić's followers staged a crowded rally in the capital. The opposition accuses the government of "artificializing" the rally. The organizers allegedly brought participants to the "pro-presidential rally" from different parts of Serbia and even neighboring countries.

During Saturday's rally, opposition supporters also called for Vučić's resignation and urged RTS TV to provide unbiased coverage of the events. After the rally officially ended, groups of people gathered in front of the Parliament building and the state TV, claiming they want to enter the administrative buildings by force. However, the organizers of the rally blocked them from entering and urged people not to give the authorities a reason to accuse the peaceful protest of violent acts.

The first protests in Serbia broke out after shocking mass crimes. At first, society was stunned by the shooting at a school in Belgrade, then by the shooting of passers-by near Mladenovac. 17 people were shot dead and 20 others were injured in the attacks. Most of the victims were primary school children. These events made tens of thousands of citizens take to the streets under the slogan "Serbia Against Violence."

At the rallies, people held flowers in memory of the slain children calling for the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and Aleksandar Vulin, the Director of Serbia's security agency.

Government officials accused the opposition of using the sensitive issue for political purposes. President Aleksandar Vučić called the protesters vultures. In response, the protesters began wearing badges with the words "vulture" or "hyena" on them.

The Serbian opposition has been accusing the current President of autocracy, media suppression, violence against political opponents, and corruption for years. Recent tragic events have only deepened the crisis of distrust in the current government. Nevertheless, the protesters promise to continue their protests until their demands are heard and fulfilled.