BLOG Students say: If demands are not met, we are ready for civil disobedience

New protest by the informal student group "Where to Tomorrow?" regarding the tragedy in Cetinje

155011 views 265 reactions 0 comment(s)
From tonight's protest in Podgorica, Photo: Luka Zeković
From tonight's protest in Podgorica, Photo: Luka Zeković
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.
Ažurirano: 25.01.2025. 21:21h
Finished
20: 39h

The protest in front of the Parliament has ended, and the citizens are dispersing.

20: 35h

"The demands are clear, they have been submitted. Until they are met, we will not give up... We have asked the Prime Minister of Montenegro to schedule a press conference no later than February 1st, at which he must explain what has been done so far regarding the crime that occurred in Cetinje on January 1st. If our demands are not met, we are ready for civil disobedience, led by students," said protest participant Itana Dragojević.

Dragojević pointed out that in their "anthill" called civil protest, there are many smart and hardworking people who do not serve a single "cricket" who does not think about the "winter" that has enveloped Montenegrin cities in recent days, and for years.

"So we would tell him: 'You are not the king of the ants, you do not have all the power in the world, but you still have the power to replace other 'crickets', who cannot even 'sing', let alone do their job. Therefore, let us give you some advice - stuck in an armchair, you cannot get anywhere. In your armchair, which is addictive like a cube, you will not see further than your finger. Therefore, get up from it, look out the window, see how many of us there are and start doing your job," said Dragojević.

protest Where to tomorrow?
photo: Luka Zeković

Dragojević reiterated that, among other things, the students are demanding the resignations of the Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović and the Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Aleksa Bečić.

More prompt and proactive action by authorities on the issue of weapons possession is also required, as is reform of the system of functioning of police structures, as well as the return of civic education as a mandatory subject in all primary and secondary schools.

There is also a call for improving the institutional approach to mental health care.

protest Where to tomorrow?
photo: Luka Zeković
Change: 21:24 p.m
20: 28h

Milo Perović said that they are not interested in the personal games of politicians.

"We are waging our fight with dignity, without personal targeting."

Perović said that the mandates are to work for the entire society, not just for individuals.

"An armchair is just an ordinary chair, it is not a currency, nor personal property. How would you know that when everything has a price for you, but nothing has value."

protest Where to tomorrow?
photo: Luka Zeković

Perović said that they immaturely and arrogantly rejected the request for resignation and that they showed "that responsibility for them lies only with 'another person'."

He reiterated that they are asking Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to comment on their first request - the dismissal of Šaranović and Bečić.

"We are not servants of the regime... We serve justice, nobility and love."

Change: 21:24 p.m
20: 26h

One of the protest participants, Jovana Kujačić, addressed the audience and said that she was grateful to the citizens for coming in such large numbers and that she hoped they would not be let down.

She said that despite attempts to divert attention from the main motive of the gathering, they are saying that the tragedy in Cetinje is no small matter.

"Montenegrin politicians are spreading falsehoods about us by targeting us and spreading them, to make us seem cool and nice, while they greet us with songs from their expensive cars. They make fools of us, but we tell them that this is not the way it should be."

She stressed that she would not leave until all demands were met.

"The world is up to us," she said.

20: 13h

A chair with a doll on it has been placed at the monument to King Nikola across from the Parliament building.

The student group previously stated in an announcement for the gathering that "the armchair is more than just a piece of furniture."

Change: 21:24 p.m
20: 11h

Protesters began arriving in front of the Parliament building.

 
20: 01h

Citizens chant "Resignation, resignation", "Can you see us well, Danilo?", "No surrender"...

 
Change: 20:03 p.m
19: 58h

Protesters started walking to the Parliament of Montenegro.

19: 41h

From 19:40 PM, protest participants will observe a thirteen-minute silence to honor the victims of the Cetinje massacre.

19: 18h

Citizens have begun gathering in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs building, where a new protest will begin at 19.30:XNUMX p.m., organized by the informal student group "Where Tomorrow?" on the occasion of the tragedy in Cetinje.

19: 14h

Among other things, the students are demanding the resignations of the Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović and the Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Aleksa Bečić.

There is also a demand for more prompt and proactive action by the authorities regarding the issue of weapons possession, a reform of the system of functioning of police structures, as well as the return of civic education as a mandatory subject in all primary and secondary schools.

There is also a call for improving the institutional approach to mental health care.

19: 12h

As announced by the group "Kamo Śutra?", after the rally in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs building in Podgorica, a protest walk to the Parliament of Montenegro is planned.

Change: 19:32 p.m
19: 08h

The protest held on January 16th, attended by several thousand citizens, ended with 13 minutes of silence as a sign of respect for the victims of the tragedy in Cetinje.

19: 06h

A new protest is being held tonight by the informal student group "Where to Tomorrow?", which is organizing in response to the tragedy in Cetinje.

Bonus video: