People from all over Serbia gathered in Novi Sad. Protesting Serbian students and their supporters came to the city for a memorial event at the site of the tragedy, where exactly one year ago a train station canopy collapsed and killed 16 people, including children, BNR reports.
The Serbian government yesterday made a decision and declared November 1st a day of mourning and ordered flags of state institutions throughout the country to be lowered to half-mast, the media and theaters to prepare publications and programs in unison with the commemoration, and before the start of sports events, the referee to signal for a minute of silence in memory of the 16 victims.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made an extraordinary address last night and apologized for his comment. In response to Vučić's apology, students called on him to resign and hold early parliamentary and presidential elections.
Today's memorial event in Novi Sad is the culmination of student-led anti-government protests that began after the tragedy in the city. Their demands for a transparent investigation and criminal accountability grew in May into a call for early elections, which President Aleksandar Vučić refused to hold.
The protests were mostly peaceful, but over the summer there were clashes between law enforcement and protesters, who accuse the police of brutality and excessive use of force. The memorial ceremonies are expected to continue tonight as another protest.