The plenum of the Belgrade’s School of Philosophy blockade positions itself against attempts to manipulate the movement for electoral gains
Source of the original announcement : https://www.instagram.com/p/DFig-4lo-y-/?img_index=3
Dear colleagues, fellow citizens,
We are addressing you on the occasion of the public gathering taking place in Novi Sad on 01/02/2025 where the blockade of all three bridges in the city is planned. First of all, we would like to emphasize that we support our colleagues from Novi Sad who have organized the three-hour blockade. We would like to remind you that the organization of this action belongs entirely to the students, in accordance with the principles of all actions that have taken place in our country in the recent period.
Three months have passed since the tragedy (that shocked public opinion) struck us. During these three months, students have taken organized action – starting with paying tribute to the victims and thus drawing attention to the systemic problems behind the tragedy itself – which ultimately resulted in the blockades of universities throughout our country. Therefore, we feel the importance of emphasizing the great symbolic importance of the action that has been planned, and to which our faculty, as one of the faculties that initiated the blockades themselves, has been invited.
The principles we used in the past period were those of direct democracy and solidarity. In accordance with these principles, demands were formulated that address the systemic roots of the problem that prompted us to take radical action. Blockades were held from the very beginning without the influence of parties and similar organizations, despite their attempts to exploit our movement. We point out the above to emphasize that our struggle from the beginning was directed towards systemic problems concerning the institutions rather than making political efforts exclusively concerning the change of the current governing regime.
Therefore, the students of the Faculty of Philosophy strongly condemn any form of abuse of student actions in favor of the election campaign of any political option. Bearing in mind the above principles, the Plenum of our faculty, out of fear of the influence of opposition actors, organizations and likewise interest groups and their instrumentalization of the struggle of the students themselves, decided to distance itself from the 24-hour blockade of the Sloboda bridge. In contrast, the three-hour blockade of the three bridges was supported by our Plenum, and you will undoubtedly see colleagues from our faculty at that gathering.
United, with an unwavering spirit, we will accompany our colleagues in one of the most important actions ever. By taking part in the action, on the anniversary that marks their city, three months after the tragedy in Novi Sad, we emphasize the perseverance that unites colleagues across the country.
Bearing in mind everything that has been said so far, we invite you to join us in the three-hour blockade of three bridges, the key roads of Novi Sad.
