Botun resident Dimitrije Raičković told citizens, who began gathering at the expansion opposite the construction site of the future wastewater treatment plant in Botun just before noon, that they are not here today "because they are bored", but because they are forced to, because the authorities are ignoring them.
He asked who has the right to "override" the referendum and the decision of the Zeta Municipal Assembly...
"We are no one's backyard, we are no one's victim, we are not collateral damage of political deals," he said.
He announced that he would radicalize the protests starting Monday, and that the blockade would last from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., and that this move would mean preventing workers from entering the construction site.
"Botun and Zeta are not giving up, because this is our house, see you on Monday," concluded Raičković.
video: News Reader
Among those present were the leader of the Democratic People's Party, Milan Knežević, and the president of the Municipality of Zeta, Mihailo Asanović.
There are several police vehicles and officers in front of the construction site.
Momo Joksimović said that Zeta is "sacred Serbian land" and that the Aluminum Plant "destroyed" it.
"This is a tormented people who have been deceived many times... The will of the people must be respected," he said.
Bojan Terzić claims that "tons of carcinogenic waste" are hidden at the construction site.
He said that the European Union would not decide how he and his family would live, and that the project to build the plant was "tainted by corruption."
video: Vijesti reader
He claims that "no one asked them anything."
"You will not conquer Zeta, rest assured. We have people and facts behind us - blockades will follow until talks take place," he said.
Raickovic then climbed back onto the improvised stage, thanking the citizens who attended, stating that the rally was over.
DNP leader Milan Knežević said that it is very important to know that the fight has "just begun", and that the people of Zeća and Botunja have fought against much greater opponents than the executive branch in the capital.
He claims that the police interrogated the citizens of Zeta for up to six hours in the previous days.
Knežević said that there is no current government in Podgorica, and that Saša Mujović will see on March 19 that he has no support in the capital.
He said that the goal is for the DNP to fall from power in Podgorica.
Earlier today, Raičković told reporters in front of the construction site that the people of Botunja changed their plan at this morning's meeting and decided to gather in front of the construction site at noon.
Two days ago, the people of Botunja announced a large rally for Saturday, announcing that they would be in front of the construction site from six in the morning, and that other residents of Zeta would join them at 12 noon.
Citizens began to gather (video: Balša Rudović)
Raičković said that at the protest rally he would tell the authorities to "put a stop to this work" until Zeta and Podgorica demarcate their borders, and that from Monday he would radicalize the protests, "most likely by blocking the entrance to the construction site employees," until someone could be found to talk to them.
Video: TV News
"So, we are asking for a demarcation. I repeat, if this belongs to Podgorica, good luck to them. I will come with a shovel to help them and a bottle of brandy. If not, if it is our territory, then let's talk, let's talk about other things," he said.
He noted that the police force in front of the construction site was strong, assessing that there was "no need" for it.
"We are normal people, as you can see. We are dignified people. We are hospitable people...", he said.
Asked whether he would enter the construction site, Raičković said that this would not happen, and that it was a "hasty statement."
"We are not that kind of people, we are not savages," he continued.
He repeated that he was "begging the godfathers" to talk to the authorities.
Locals previously announced that they would "enter the construction site" today with a decision by the Zeta Municipal Assembly, which does not allow the construction of the facility until the demarcation with Podgorica is completed.
"We will come to the construction site with that paper on Saturday and, based on it, demand that the works be stopped," said local resident Milan Ćetković on Wednesday evening.
The people of Botunja decided to hold new, more radical protests due to, as they claim, the discovery of "hazardous waste - carcinogenic anodes from the former Aluminum Combine in the excavations of the plant."
The expert supervision of the construction of the collector warned that irresponsible movement near the construction site in Botun could endanger lives.
They reminded that this is an active construction site where, in accordance with the Law on Occupational Safety and Health and accompanying regulations, only authorized persons are allowed to be present.
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