Columns of students from all over Serbia arrived in Belgrade on Friday evening, greeted by thousands of people lining the streets of the Serbian capital.

The students entered the city from various directions, some by bicycle, some on foot. The marchers looked tired but happy, having walked for days from every part of the country to take part in a mass student-led protest on Saturday.

At the central reception in Terazije Square, in the heart of the city, a red carpet was laid out for the students. Belgraders welcomed them with smiles, tears, hugs, and the sound of whistles, accompanied by a fireworks display.

A procession of students from the city of Vrsac made their way to Terazije Square, led by a tractor. Students from western and central Serbia, who had walked to Belgrade, also arrived in the city with tractors adorned with Serbian flags.

A large student-led protest is planned for Saturday, March 15 in Belgrade. The Serbian students’ protests, which have been going on for over three months, were sparked by the November 1, 2024, disaster at the recently renovated Novi Sad main train station, where a concrete canopy collapsed, killing 15 people and severely injuring two.

The students are demanding accountability from the government for the tragedy in Novi Sad. Their demands include the release of all documents related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad train station, the prosecution of individuals suspected of assaulting protesters, the dismissal of charges against students and university professors involved in the protests, and a 20 percent increase in the state’s higher education budget.

The mother of a young man who was killed in the canopy collapse, Dijana Hrka, attended the reception for the students. Through tears, she said that her emotions were beyond words and that the students had united Serbia.

“I don’t know what to say to you. This is indescribable, feelings that cannot be expressed in words. The students have united Serbia and are fighting for justice for all of us,” she said.

“I beg you, stand with the people, we are one nation. What they are doing is shameful,” she told the police officers in front of Pioneers’ Park. A group of pro-regime supporters claiming to be students and identifying themselves as Students 2.0 and as “students who want to study” had set up camp there last week, demanding a return to classes.

The Saturday protest rally in Belgrade will be held in front of the Serbian Parliament building, which is just across the street from Pioneers’ Park.