Serbia Responds to Mass Shootings with Protests and Gun Control Measures

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Belgrade, blocking a key bridge, in the second large protest since two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, including many children. Protesters chanted slogans decrying Serbia’s populist president, Aleksandar Vučić, whom they blame for creating an atmosphere of hopelessness and division in the country that indirectly led to the mass shootings. Opposition parties have accused Vučić’s populist government of fuelling intolerance and hate speech while taking hold of all institutions. Vučić has denied this and announced his own rally on 26 May in Belgrade, which he said will be the “biggest ever”.