gathering on Saturday seen as a massive display of discontent with the government of autocratic President Aleksandar Vučić. The collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad train station last November 1 killed 16 people. The tragedy triggered youth-led street protests and a nationwide movement demanding political changes that have seriously shaken Vucic’s tight hold on power. The protesters believe that the concrete construction at the renovated station building in Novi Sad collapsed because rampant corruption and nepotism in state infrastructure projects with China led to fatal disregard of safety rules. No one has been held responsible though 13 people have been charged. University student Nadja Solaja told the crowd that the disaster was a “crime and murder” and not an accident. Authorities, Solaja said “have blood on their hands”. She was using a slogan that has marked the past year of protests along with a symbolic red-coloured handprint.

Dijana Hrka, the mother of Stefan Hrka, one of the victims, said she would launch a hunger strike in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, on Sunday. Hrka said that “I must know who killed my child. Someone must be held accountable for this.” Saturday’s ceremonies first started with 16 minutes of silence for the 16 victims, at exactly 11:52 a.m., the time of the collapse. The rally ended hours later with another 16-minute commemorative silence in the evening. (Jamaica Gleaner)