On March 15, Serbia witnessed its largest protest in history, an outpouring of public anger, hope and demand for accountability. An estimated 300,000 people flooded the streets of Belgrade, the culmination of months of student-led protests triggered by an accident at Novi Sad’s railway station in November 2024, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured two others.

The scale of the protest has been the subject of debate. While the police reported 107,000 attendees at its peak, independent sources, such as the Archive of Public Gatherings, estimated the crowd at anywhere between 275,000 and 325,000. Whichever the exact figure, the protest marked an unprecedented display of discontent with the government of President Aleksandar Vucic. 

The tragedy in Novi Sad, caused by the collapse of a canopy roof at a station that had just recently been renovated, has galvanised both students and ordinary citizens into a powerful movement demanding justice. The protesters believe corruption contributed to the disaster, and their calls for accountability have already led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and several other high-ranking officials.

Despite the government's efforts to limit the size of the protest by suspending public transportation to Belgrade, including trains and buses, masses of people arrived on foot, by bike and in cars. "We flew in without the falcon," read one of the many witty placards, referring to the suspension of the train services connecting Novi Sad and Belgrade.

Public transport ceased in Belgrade just after 9 a.m. on March 15 "for security reasons", but this did little to dampen the determination of the demonstrators, many of whom arrived from across the country the night before. Even Vucic, always keen to downplay the scale of such protests, was forced to admit that this one was quite large. "We will have to change ourselves," he acknowledged in an address to the nation after the protest.

The protest was a testament to the anger over government mismanagement, but also to the peaceful determination of the demonstrators. Despite the overwhelming size and tense atmosphere in the run up to the protest, the event remained largely incident-free.

This was a stark contrast to fears raised in the days leading up to the protest, when rumours of violence were rife, mostly fuelled by government rhetoric and state media. "I felt everyone was on edge… expecting something to happen," said a young teacher from Belgrade. But against the backdrop of so much anticipation, the protest unfolded remarkably peacefully.

Vucic praised the police for their handling of the situation. "We managed to preserve the peace," he declared, an acknowledgment of the success of the police and the people in keeping the protest largely free from violence.

Nonetheless, some incidents did occur, including another car-ramming incident, a grim reminder of  the past months’ rare clashes, when enraged drivers have rammed their cars through groups of students blocking traffic. Serbian media reported that 22 people were arrested and 56 others injured throughout the day.

The student organisers made significant efforts to keep the peace, even as tensions escalated. Towards the end of the day, a small group of individuals threw objects and pyrotechnics. Student organisers wearing yellow vests attempted to contain the situation, but soon withdrew, stressing that such incidents were not part of their protest. By 11 p.m., the streets were mostly empty.

In an official statement posted before the protests, the student organisers had condemned any form of violence, emphasising that the protest’s goal was not to attack or invade institutions but to demand systemic change.

This is not a colour revolution, the students insist. Despite the scale of the protests, they are not officially calling for regime change or siding with opposition groups. What they seek is far more fundamental: transparency, accountability and the restoration of the rule of law. They want a government that works for the people, not for itself. "All we are saying is give the constitution a chance," another sign read.

Their demands echo those heard in Serbia a quarter of a century ago, during the mass protests against Slobodan Milosevic, to live in a "normal" European country. "We just want a country that works," law student Jana Vasic told the BBC, a sentiment echoed by many in the crowd.

The people of Serbia are asking for systemic change, for a system which is not dependent on bribes and favours and for a future where public officials are held responsible for their actions.

Prosecutors have indicted at least 16 individuals in connection with the Novi Sad collapse, including former construction minister Goran Vesic, but charges have yet to go to trial. The protesters vow to continue their fight until those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.