Students from across Serbia are making their way on foot and by bicycle to Niš, the country's third-largest city, ahead of a large protest rally scheduled for March 1. The march is part of an ongoing wave of student-led protests, blockades and strikes that have swept the nation in recent months following the tragedy at Novi Sad railway station on November 1.

The rally in Niš is expected to draw thousands of students and citizens from all over Serbia, with the event being organised by the University of Niš. The protest, dubbed the "Student Edict" rally, comes on the heels of a similar gathering in Kragujevac on February 15. During the "Let's Meet at Sretenje" protest in Kragujevac, students hinted that the next major demonstration would take place in Niš.

The students’ journey to Niš has been met with overwhelming support from local communities, who have welcomed the protestors with cheers, songs, fireworks and food. As they trek from cities such as Kragujevac, Čačak, Bor and Bujanovac, the students have become symbols of the growing rebellion against perceived government failures and systemic corruption, which many blame for the deadly collapse of the canopy roof at the station in Novi Sad.

On February 27, a group of students, who had spent the night in Kruševac, continued their journey toward Niš. Before setting off, they received a blessing at the town's Lazarica Church, where local citizens brought out food for the students. According to a Danas reporter, near the river Rasina, a citizen came out on his balcony dressed as a soldier and played the military song "March on the Drina" over a loudspeaker as the students passed by. Priests also emerged from nearby churches, offering blessings as the students marched on.

In the days following their departure from Kragujevac, a group of students from Čačak embarked on a more than 160-kilometre trek to Niš. As they passed through towns such as Kraljevo, Užice and Kruševac, they were joined by additional groups of students, swelling their ranks as they neared their destination. Students from Novi Sad have taken two different routes: one group travelled by bus to Bor before walking the rest of the way, while another group is cycling to Niš, joining up with other students from Belgrade along the way.

Meanwhile, the citizens of Niš have been busy preparing for the influx of demonstrators. Social media groups have emerged, with locals offering free accommodation, transportation, food and drinks for the protesters. However, with the rise in demand for lodging ahead of the rally, accommodation prices in the city have surged. Reports from platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb indicate that the prices for rooms have skyrocketed, with some accommodations originally priced at around €100 now listed at over €700 per night, Vreme reported.

The protest on March 1 is expected to be another marathon event, lasting from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day. It will mirror the protests held recently in Kragujevac and Novi Sad, both of which saw passionate crowds and a significant turnout. Despite the rising political tension in Serbia, police have been present to ensure the safe passage of the students, occasionally stopping traffic to allow protesters to march through.

For the students, the protest is about more than just raising their voices. It is a powerful statement of resistance against the systemic issues of corruption and cronyism, which they say have plagued the country for years. And as they march toward Niš, they are not just calling for change but demonstrating that the fight for a better future is one they are willing to walk, or ride, for.

Local residents, including elderly citizens, have greeted the students with warmth and solidarity. According to local media reports, in Gaglov, a gentleman with a stroller stood to cheer on the protestors, while a grandmother handed out roses along the route. As the students continue their march, it is clear that the movement is not dissipating, but gaining momentum and drawing in people from all walks of life, united in their desire for a fairer, less corrupt society.