Groups of students in Belgrade and Novi Sad on Monday occupied several university buildings, including the University of Belgrade Rectorate building, while their demands include the release of documentation about the Novi Sad railway station reconstruction and identifying those responsible for a recent attack on students.

The blockades began Monday at 11:52 am, targeting the Belgrade University Rectorate building, as well as the Faculties of Philology, Philosophy, and Mathematics. Students at the Faculty of Architecture are deciding whether to join the protest.

The timing of 11:52 am was chosen symbolically, as it marks the moment when a concrete canopy roof collapsed on 17 people at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1.

By 1 pm, students had also occupied the Faculty of Philosophy building in Novi Sad.

The students’ demands include the release of complete documentation regarding the Novi Sad railway station reconstruction, identifying those responsible for attacking students at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, and a 20 percent increase in funding for public universities.

They are also calling for an increase in the education budget, which has remained unchanged since 2019, and the immediate release of all citizens arrested during peaceful protests, along with the withdrawal of unfounded charges against them.

Branislav Djordjevic, a student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad and member of the organized group Students Against Authoritarian Rule (STAV), said they deliberately changed the Monday’s protest location after receiving information that the Novi Sad University Rectorate building was again filled with private security personnel who had attacked them just over two months ago.