Protests were held in several cities due to the attack on Dean Jovanović

A large number of students, professors and citizens gathered on Monday (March 31) in Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac, on protests regarding the attack on the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Niš, Natalia Jovanovic, who was attacked and stabbed in that city on Sunday (March 30).

The protests were also a sign of support for the university community, which is suffering more and more frequent pressures due to its support for the student movement, the organizers announced.

Those gathered carry whistles, faculty flags and banners, and protest marches are underway.

Scientific associate at the Biological Institute in Belgrade, Stefan Anđus, told N1 that "repression is growing and that the lies in the media continue."

"This is all connected that is happening right now, nothing is accidental... Simply, we have no other choice but to fight for justice and truth. We are here to support our colleagues, the rector and the dean (Natalia Jovanović)," he said.

"All this happening can only cause even greater determination among the people," he added.

Photo: FoNet/Marko Dragoslavić

Back is the simulated reality of Ćaciland

Sanja Ignjatović, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš, said at the protest in support of the attacked dean Natalija Jovanović that there is no going back, because back is the "simulated reality of Ćaciland".

"For four months, we have also witnessed a media lynching in the tabloids, first of students, and then of professors, our colleagues, and other fellow citizens who stood up for justice," the professor said.

She also said that they must not forget that after the protest in Belgrade on March 15, the founder, that is, the state of Serbia, tried to intimidate.

"With letters and decrees, she tried to break the blockades, that is, to force professors, deans, faculty management to disciplinary proceedings against their students, their employees, and with decrees on norms and standards to cancel our salary. However, that intimidation simply will not work. As you know, we responded to those letters by absolutely not initiating disciplinary proceedings, we did not arrest students, that is, we did not call the police on students, nor will we do that," she pointed out.

He says that the professors stand in solidarity with the students and their demands, whether they can be fulfilled or not, and they stand in solidarity with all citizens who are fighting for a different Serbia.

"One event, one day, one place, one Novi Sad. November 1, 2024. 11.52"

In front of the Rectorate in Novi Sad, Milica Rat from the Faculty of Science, who is one of the members of the Free University, addressed the gathering. She recalled the fall of fear and the beginning of blockades and the work of institutions.

"Since that unfortunate event, the students remind us every day of all those killed, not only these 16, they remind us with silence, standing, and silence," she pointed out.

She recalled all the attacks on students and citizens during the distribution of mail to the victims, as well as the latest attack on DIF students.

"Why were they all attacked? Because they stood up to defend the state and society," she stated before the crowd gathered on campus before the start of the walk.

"There is no beginning, there is only one moment, one event, one day, one place, one Novi Sad. November 1, 2024. 11.52:16. One moment, and 16 people, XNUMX citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Because, by law, all citizens who reside in the territory of our republic enjoy certain rights and obligations," she said.

Photo: 021.rs

"Supporting students in the fight for a fairer society"

Professor Nikola Vujičić was at the protest in Kragujevac. He, in front of the Free University, said that they gathered to support the students in the fight for a fairer society.

"No violence, first of all. That is what our main message is. I would like to invite all other colleagues who may be hesitant to join such an idea, which, I think, is above all humane, that we all fight together with all our forces against what is happening to us at the moment, which is increased violence at all levels, first of all towards students and members of the academic community, but also towards all other citizens of this country", he stated.

The protests were organized by the Rebel University, the Free University in Novi Sad, the Free University in Niš and the Free University in Kragujevac.

In Niš, the protest started in front of the Basic Court building, in Belgrade and Novi Sad in front of the Rectorate, and in Kragujevac in front of the Palace of Justice.

Those gathered then went on protest walks in all four cities under the slogan "The campaign of violence must stop!", and a sixteen-minute silence was held for the victims of the fall of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad.

Vučić on the attack on the dean

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić again targeted Belgrade University rector Vladan Djokić on Pink TV, saying that he "doesn't work for the state", but also relativized the knife attack on dean Natalija Jovanović in Niš, comparing it to "cutting a cucumber or an onion".

He repeated that the dean is a "criminal".

"The dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, the wife of Baneta Banana (Natalia Jovanović), she said that I stabbed her, and the injury is, by the way, roughly like when you cut a cucumber or an onion. As I received information, there is no injury, just superficially. But that's all, it should have happened," said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in his appearance on national television.

Source: N1/FoNet/021