‘It’s the smell of freedom’: Belgrade cleans up after Student List triumph
Özet haber: Binbag-wielding volunteers clear encampment used by thugs to intimidate opponents of deposed government
Binbag-wielding volunteers clear encampment used by thugs to intimidate opponents of deposed government
Student List cleaned up at Serbia’s parliamentary elections. So it was only fitting that the morning after a night of raucous celebrations, the movement’s supporters were gathering, bin bags in hand, at Pioneers Park, opposite the national assembly building in Belgrade.
For the previous 18 months, this small patch of greenery – with its established trees and playground – had been a no-go zone. A pro-government camp known as Ćaciland had taken over the space with convicted criminals living there in white tents, happy to attack journalists, or anyone else who came too close. Police stood by but did nothing to prevent the violence.
On election night, it seemed that thuggery might be on the cards again. Half an hour before the polls closed, large numbers of masked, black-clad men started gathering in and around Pioneers Park. Their intimidating presence gave credence to pre-poll predictions that the governing Serbian Progressive party (SNS) would not hand over power without a struggle.
What happened next took almost everyone by surprise. Shortly after the polls closed – and before any projections of the results had been published – Aleksandar Vučić told supporters at SNS headquarters that they had suffered a comprehensive defeat to the Student List. As cheers rang around the heart of Belgrade, he added that he did “not want unrest” or “anything like that on the streets”.
The riot police stood aside and the barriers blocking access to the area around Pioneers Park were removed. The goon squad made a rapid exit – and Student List supporters joyfully ransacked Ćaciland, setting fire to some of the tents.
But this is not a movement that likes to leave a mess. Over the two years of anti-corruption protests that led to the Student List’s victory, participants have always cleaned up after themselves. So the call went out for volunteers to restore Pioneers Park to something approaching its previous state.
Hundreds of people answered the appeal and joined municipal workers to remove the remains of Ćaciland. Some dismantled the mangled white tents, while others painstakingly cleaned and disinfected the climbing frames, swings and slides in the children’s playground.
Radomir Dalic painstakingly combed over the grass to remove cigarette butts and other rubbish. Apparently relishing his labours, he said he was overjoyed that the park was finally rid of “criminals with violent intentions towards us”.
“Yesterday was a big victory, so today is the smell of freedom,” he added. “We are in garbage, but it’s the smell of freedom.”
Tamara Tomic wore yellow rubber gloves for the occasion – and radiated similar pride in taking part. “Gathering here and cleaning this place just shows that we want to live nicely,” she said. “We want to enjoy the city, enjoy a normal life without violence and without anyone torturing us.”
