On a recent day, students in Subotica held a protest asserting that the government is attempting to resolve ongoing faculty blockades through police interventions, which they have characterized as both brutal and illegal.

They oppose the government's intention to revoke salaries to compel professors to conduct classes, claiming that the current administration is acting unlawfully by enacting policies while in a caretaker capacity.

According to the students, a caretaker government lacks the authority to introduce, amend, or repeal regulations, and may only attend to ongoing business that cannot be postponed.

The protest saw participation from a diverse group, including members of the academic community, farmers, lawyers, healthcare workers, and postal workers, who denounced what they see as the government's reliance on conflict, violence, and division to maintain control.

During the demonstration, which proceeded from the Hippodrome to the intersection of Zagrebačka Street and Somborski Put, students proclaimed, "How many more tears, bruises, and fearful youths must arise before we assert 'enough'?" This statement followed recent incidents where students in Novi Sad faced aggression for expressing their dissent.

The demonstrators voiced their dismay at the state of academic freedom in Serbia, with strong concerns regarding safety for those who dare to express alternative opinions.

The activists called for accountability for perpetrators of violence against protesters, stating, "We demand truth, justice immediately and without cover-ups.

We want responsibility and punishment for those who ordered and executed this assault."

Participation in the protest extended beyond students; postal workers also joined, with Slobodan Bojović highlighting that colleagues faced reassignment to distant locations as a consequence of their public support for the students.

He emphasized that the postal workers stand in solidarity with the students, rejecting oppression and injustice.

Mirjana Kosanović, an educator from Matko Vuković Elementary School, echoed the sentiments of unrest, articulating grievances related to nepotism, corruption, and political influence within educational institutions.

She expressed that many local citizens unite through love for their community, transcending ethnic divides.

Amid the protests, some speakers criticized local school directors, accusing them of political affiliations that undermine educational integrity.

They insisted on the necessity for professionals in leadership roles, rather than political activists, to restore proper educational values.

Additionally, Atila Fabijan, a participant self-identified as a dissenter against governmental policies, asserted that citizens must take responsibility for establishing mechanisms to ensure accountability within institutions.

Emphasizing community engagement, he called for collective effort to foster a functioning society.

This gathering reflects growing unrest among various sectors in Serbia, highlighting significant concerns around governance, civic rights, and public safety.