Protesting students from Kragujevac called for a large protest and a 15-hour blockade of the city’s thoroughfare on Saturday, February 15, starting 9 am.

In an Instagram post, the Kragujevac students said the blockade, titled “Let’s Meet on Sretenje,” will last until Sunday, February 16, at 12.07 am.

Serbia celebrates Statehood Day on February 15, marking the anniversaries of the 1st Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in Orasac in 1804 and the confirmation of the first Constitution of the Principality of Serbia in 1835. The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Candlemas (Sretenje in Serbian) on this day when, according to belief, winter starts turning into spring.

“Sretenje is a day when winter and summer, slavery and freedom, lawlessness and the constitution meet. Sretenje is a day for raising our heads and voices, for believing and taking action, for talks and gatherings,” the post said.

The students called on everyone to stand up together and, with their heads up high, demand truth, accountability and justice.

“This Sretenje will be one of the most significant in history. Join us in writing it,” said the Kragujevac students.