People march during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People with red paint on their hands, symbolizing blood, leave imprints on the pavement, during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A woman with red paint on her hands, symbolizing blood, makes imprints on the pavement during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party guard party office, during a protest following collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People leave hand imprints on the pavement with red paint during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
People march during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
DMV
People with red paint on their hands, symbolizing blood, leave imprints on the pavement, during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
DMV
A woman with red paint on her hands, symbolizing blood, makes imprints on the pavement during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
DMV
Supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party guard party office, during a protest following collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
DMV
People leave hand imprints on the pavement with red paint during a protest following the collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station that killed 15 people one month ago, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
NOVI SAD, Serbia (AP) — Thousands joined a protest march on Sunday in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad that marked one month since a concrete canopy ouside of the city's railway station collapsed, killing 15 people and injuring two.
Protesters held a huge banner with a red handprint at the front of the column — a message for the populist authorities that they have blood on their hands. Participants later left the same symbolic message on the pavement at the main square in Novi Sad while also painting much of the square red.
have been held almost daily since the Nov. 1 roof collapse, demanding accountability after tons of concrete fell on people sitting or walking below on a sunny day.
The railway station building was renovated twice in recent years. Many in Serbia believe rampant corruption and opaque deals resulted in sloppy work and led to the collapse of the roof.
While prosecutors have announced the , a Serbian court has since released from detention former government construction minister Goran Vesic. This has fueled widespread skepticism of the ongoing investigation, as the populists control both the police and judiciary.
The march on Sunday in Novi Sad was held in silence and passed peacefully, unlike some in past weeks when pro-government supporters have sought to disrupt the gatherings and scuffled with the protesters. between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers.
The protests are seen as a challenge for Serbia's authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic, whose populist government holds firm control over the mainstream media and institutions.
Vucic on Sunday defended his supporters' appearance at the opposition-led traffic blockades. Vucic said halting traffic presented the “ultimate violence" against citizens.
Opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Serbia’s prime minister and his government, as well as access to full documentation on the train station building and other infrastructure projects carried out in conjunction with Chinese state companies.
The station in Novi Sad was originally built in 1964. Its renovation was part of a bigger project with China and Hungary to build a high-speed railway between Belgrade and Budapest.
