In Serbia, a wave of student protests and civic gatherings has gained momentum across the country, fueled by demands for educational reform and protection of student rights.

In Novi Sad, students have organized a protest titled 'Da mi vas nešto pitamo' (Let us ask you something), where they intend to march to the offices of the public prosecutor and the Security Information Agency (BIA) to voice concerns over governmental oversight and alleged persecution of activists and students.

The backdrop of these protests includes recent actions by deans and professors at the University of Belgrade, who have formally submitted an initiative to the Constitutional Court challenging the legality of a government decree that has stirred controversy regarding its impact on university operations.

Additionally, the non-partisan group 'Rebellious University' has called upon the Ministry of Education for assurances regarding the safety of students and faculty amid ongoing tensions.

Previously, protests included a three-hour blockade of the Branko's Bridge in Belgrade and a gathering in front of the city assembly in Kragujevac to express solidarity with educational workers.

In a related development, protests erupted outside municipal buildings in Čukarica and Rakovica, where opposition members and citizens sought access to assembly sessions but were denied entry.

Citizens voiced their frustration over perceived restrictions on civic participation.

In Novi Sad, a student march began from the university campus, with participants shouting slogans such as 'Students will not be silent!' as they proceeded toward the judicial offices to pose critical questions regarding the selective prosecution of activists and the alleged mishandling of information by the BIA.

The protests have seen solidarity from citizens and educators, including the Academic Network for a Free University, advocating for the immediate release of detained activists and students.

President of the Serbian Assembly, Ana Brnabić, dismissed the claims of faculty blockades, suggesting that the true obstructors are the university leadership, which she accused of placing themselves above the laws of Serbia in the context of ongoing academic disruptions.

Further escalations have been reported from Belgrade's Prva gimnazija, where students initiated a 24-hour blockade in response to decisions made by the school administration that they deemed illegal, emphasizing a need for respect regarding student governance and integrity.

The Rakovički Center for Social Work faced closures today, impeding access for both staff and the public after local government mandated the lockout following reports of attacks on employees.

For their part, educational workers in Novi Sad submitted eleven distinct demands to the local educational authority, including enhanced safety measures and a halt to certain examinations planned for 2025. Protesters at the gathering have highlighted the urgency of addressing financial concerns and collective agreements affecting their profession.

The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing discontent within the legal profession, as the Serbian Bar Association prepares to discuss potential strikes and the conditions under which lawyers may operate amid increasing pressures from governmental policies.

Simultaneously, protests have intensified in Rakovica, where a government session progressed under heightened security, restricting public access and prompting citizen demonstrations outside, chanting demands for transparency and accountability.

As educational protests proliferate, the demand for reform and civil rights across institutions continues to shape the public discourse, with citizens steadily rallying to support the students' and educators' objectives for a more equitable educational landscape.