Two gatherings took place simultaneously in the town of Aleksinac on Friday – one held by local residents supporting the student movement, and the other by loyalists of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). When an N1 reporter attempted to interview the SNS activists, they leveled various unsubstantiated accusations against both the network and the students cycling across Serbia.
The group of student activists, cycling through Serbia as part of the election campaign, arrived in Aleksinac on Friday. However, the students and the residents waiting to welcome them were driven away from their initial meeting point by the SNS loyalists, some of whom openly admitted to N1 that they had traveled from the nearby city of Nis. Ultimately, the students managed to pass through Aleksinac safely.
When the N1 reporter asked the assembled ruling party loyalists why they had traveled to Aleksinac, one individual replied: “I came to support my director, Tamara Milic from Nis. I came on my own accord, I adore her, and I support the party.”
The crowds – representing two starkly different political factions, the student list and the ruling progressives – stood positioned directly opposite one another.
N1’s reporter tried to interview the ruling party activists regarding the purpose of their counter-gathering, but the interaction grew tense.
“Aren’t you ashamed… Look at them, they arrived completely dry [implying the cyclists had not actually ridden their bikes]. Look, there are two transport vans right there…” one SNS activist told the N1 crew.
The N1 reporter cut him off immediately, stating: “Sir, as long as I am holding this microphone, it will not be used for propaganda or insults. If we can have a civil conversation, go ahead; if not, please step back. Why are you here?”
“We are here… You know what, I don’t want to talk to you people anymore. You are nothing but frauds,” the SNS activist shot back. Moments later, another man blocked the N1 camera lens with an umbrella to prevent the crew from filming.
The Mayor of Aleksinac was also spotted at the scene but refused to provide a statement to N1.
Source: N1
