Citizens march against violence

Participants in the Belgrade march against violence yesterday evening called on the state to take decisive action against increasing violence in society. A statement read out at the start of the rally in front of the Philosophy Faculty called for quick arrests, effective trials and maximum sentences for all those committing crimes that endangered the right to life, bodily integrity, freedoms and equality. Citizens march against violence In the statement issued by the Youth Coalition Against Violence, read out by activist Andrea Premate, the police and prosecution were asked to take threats against citizens seriously and sanction such acts accordingly, in order to have a preventive effect on potential offenders, “Everyone who respects the constitution and law must be able to exercise their guaranteed rights and express their opinion. The freedom of peaceful assembly is one of our fundamental rights, without which there can be no democratic society, and it cannot be restricted because of the threat of violence,” she stated. The names of all those who had recently been victims of violence for political, religious or ethnic motives were also read out. The protesters, with politicians and government officials among them, signed a book of condolences, which was given to the French embassy in Belgrade during the march. The march was attended by Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, Education and Diaspora Ministers Zarko Obradovic and Srdjan Sreckovic, Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas, Liberal Democratic Party President Cedomir Jovanovic, and G17 Plus officials Suzana Grubjesic and Vlajko Senic. Yesterday evening's march (Tanjug) "Clear message sent" Youth Coalition official Petar Milicevic said that the march through Belgrade sent a clear message that violence and the “chain of support for violence coming from as far back as the late 1980s” must be stopped. Milicevic said that the rally was organized at short notice, because something had to be done quickly, and “showed that, with a little effort, we can send a very different message to ourselves, and to everyone else that this (violence) in Serbia will not be tolerated.” He said that he was gratified that many public figures and government ministers had participated in the march without showing any party affiliation, and that most had come as citizens who personally “have a problem with what is happening in their community, just like the rest of us.” The march, led by a large banner that read “Stop Violence!”, started in front of the Philosophy Faculty, passed through the city’s central streets, stopping at Obilicev Venac, where hooligans assaulted Brice Taton, the French football fan that died several days ago from injuries suffered in the attack. A minute’s silence was observed for Taton and 1,000 roses were placed in his memory, after which the march continued to the Kalemegdan Fortress. The Youth Coalition Against Violence is made up of Democratic Youth, the Young Liberal Democratic Party, Social-Democratic Youth, and the Europe has no Alternative Movement. The coalition also includes the youth group of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, the Gay-Straight Alliance, with support from the Youth League of the Vojvodina Social Democrats, the Civil Initiative, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights and the European Movement in Serbia. Tributes were paid in many Serbian cities to Taton. In Belgrade, candles were lit and wreaths were placed in Republic Square, in front of the French embassy and at Obilicev Venac, where he was assaulted. Thus far, 11 people have been arrested for the murder of Taton.

Citizens march against violence

In the statement issued by the Youth Coalition Against Violence, read out by activist Andrea Premate, the police and prosecution were asked to take threats against citizens seriously and sanction such acts accordingly, in order to have a preventive effect on potential offenders,

“Everyone who respects the constitution and law must be able to exercise their guaranteed rights and express their opinion. The freedom of peaceful assembly is one of our fundamental rights, without which there can be no democratic society, and it cannot be restricted because of the threat of violence,” she stated.

The names of all those who had recently been victims of violence for political, religious or ethnic motives were also read out.

The protesters, with politicians and government officials among them, signed a book of condolences, which was given to the French embassy in Belgrade during the march.

The march was attended by Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac, Education and Diaspora Ministers Žarko Obradović and Srđan Srećković, Belgrade Mayor Dragan Đilas, Liberal Democratic Party President Čedomir Jovanović, and G17 Plus officials Suzana Grubješić and Vlajko Senić.

"Clear message sent"

Youth Coalition official Petar Milićević said that the march through Belgrade sent a clear message that violence and the “chain of support for violence coming from as far back as the late 1980s” must be stopped.

Milićević said that the rally was organized at short notice, because something had to be done quickly, and “showed that, with a little effort, we can send a very different message to ourselves, and to everyone else that this (violence) in Serbia will not be tolerated.”

He said that he was gratified that many public figures and government ministers had participated in the march without showing any party affiliation, and that most had come as citizens who personally “have a problem with what is happening in their community, just like the rest of us.”

The march, led by a large banner that read “Stop Violence!”, started in front of the Philosophy Faculty, passed through the city’s central streets, stopping at Obilićev Venac, where hooligans assaulted Brice Taton, the French football fan that died several days ago from injuries suffered in the attack.

A minute’s silence was observed for Taton and 1,000 roses were placed in his memory, after which the march continued to the Kalemegdan Fortress.

The Youth Coalition Against Violence is made up of Democratic Youth, the Young Liberal Democratic Party, Social-Democratic Youth, and the Europe has no Alternative Movement.

The coalition also includes the youth group of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, the Gay-Straight Alliance, with support from the Youth League of the Vojvodina Social Democrats, the Civil Initiative, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights and the European Movement in Serbia.

Tributes were paid in many Serbian cities to Taton. In Belgrade, candles were lit and wreaths were placed in Republic Square, in front of the French embassy and at Obilićev Venac, where he was assaulted.

Thus far, 11 people have been arrested for the murder of Taton.