People hold up their mobile phone lights during a minute of silence ceremony as they block the bridge during a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
A man stands during a minute of silence ceremony as he protests over the collapse of a concrete canopy killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
An aerial view of people blocking the Bridge of Freedom during a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed 15 people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
People rest at a park, while a protest was being held over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People hold up their mobile phone lights as tens of thousands gather for a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed 15 people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People hold up their mobile phone lights during a minute of silence ceremony as they block the bridge during a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
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A man stands during a minute of silence ceremony as he protests over the collapse of a concrete canopy killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
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An aerial view of people blocking the Bridge of Freedom during a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed 15 people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
AD
People rest at a park, while a protest was being held over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed multiple people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
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People hold up their mobile phone lights as tens of thousands gather for a protest over the collapse of a concrete canopy that killed 15 people more than two months ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
NOVI SAD, Serbia (AP) — Serbian students on Sunday blocked a bridge over the River Danube in the northern city of Novi Sad for over 24 hours as part of their growing anti-graft movement demanding major changes in the Balkan country.
Dozens of farmers parked their tractors by the Most Slobode, or Freedom Bridge, saying they wanted to guard the students from incidents and potential attacks by sympathizers of Serbia's powerful President Aleksandar Vucic. Novi Sad residents brought them tea and coffee, pancakes, pastry and cooked food.
The protesters decided to extend their protest for three additional hours while they cleaned up the area where they had been holding their colorful rally since Saturday. Thousands of people joined them on Sunday in a continuing show of support.
University students in Serbia are leading that was triggered by the at the central train station in Novi Sad, killing 15 people.
Critics believe graft led to a sloppy job during the poor oversight and disrespect of safety regulations. The issue has come to symbolize a wider discontent over the rule of law in Serbia.
"Well, the only way to end this (protest) is that our all demands are met," said student Lucija Maslakovic. The students have demanded a thorough investigation, the publication of all documents related to the railway station renovation, and punishment for those responsible for the canopy collapse.
Daily protests throughout Serbia pose a major challenge for Vucic. The student-led movement already forced , Vucic's ally, and the government earlier this week.
In his regular address against the student protests, Vucic on Sunday again delivered a mixed message, offering talks with striking university professors while issuing veiled treats against the demonstrators.
Indirectly accusing the protesters of working for foreign interests with the ultimate goal of toppling him by force, Vucic said on Instagram that the country cannot be ruled by someone chosen from outside the country.
“We don’t need governments imposed from the outside … without elections and without the will of the people,” he said.
Tightly controlled pro-government media have mostly ignored the protests, occasionally carrying fake news and photos that show empty streets and claiming that the Novi Sad rally was a “disaster” because of what they said was low turnout.
The state broadcaster RTS made a surprise exception on Saturday and carried live coverage of the protest in Novi Sad that was attended by tens of thousands.
Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party was quick to react, strongly condemning the “scandalous coverage" of the bridge blockades. The party said state TV had “violated all the rules and values of objective and impartial journalism with its scandalous reports."
The students stayed at one of the Novi Sad bridges through the night after blocking all three city bridges on Saturday. Tens of thousands of people joined in on Saturday, swarming the streets in further pressure on the governing populists.
“I support them fully. I can’t believe how well they are organized, mature and good,” said Jelena Djordjevic, a university professor from Novi Sad. “They are just incredible.”
The student protest has struck a chord in graft-plagued Serbia, where few citizens feel that state institutions, which are firmly under populist control, are working in the public interest. Many believe that the collapse was essentially caused by in a large infrastructure project with Chinese state companies.
To pass the time on Saturday evening and overnight, the students played basketball and volleyball, listened to music, played chess or card games. In the morning, they could be seen clearing the garbage ahead of more protests.
from Belgrade to Novi Sad for two days ahead of the blockades.
At 11:52 p.m. on Saturday, the protesters held 15 minutes of silence for the 15 dead in the Nov. 1 canopy collapse. Two children were among the victims.
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Associated Press writers Jovana Gec and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report.
