Serbia: new Saturday of mobilization against the lithium mine project
Protesters during a march in Belgrade against the lithium mine project, December 4, 2021, in Serbia.
REUTERS - ZORANA JEVTIC
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
After the first demonstrations last Saturday, other gatherings took place this Saturday, December 4 in Serbia.
At the call of environmental movements and civil society organizations, the Serbs once again took to the streets to protest against a proposed lithium mine.
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With our correspondent in Belgrade,
Laurent Rouy
The call for protest was launched
for the second time
by a broad popular movement called the “ecological uprising”.
About ten days ago, the passage into force of two laws which favor a much maligned lithium mine project led by the multinational Rio Tinto and by the government set fire to the powders.
“I passed through town. There are really a lot of people. We hope that the president does not promulgate the decree of law on expropriations, and that he does not sign the law on referendums,
”told RFI Jelena, a 22-year-old lawyer.
Very embarrassed by these protests, the government has, this time, let it go.
No police were visible as
incidents broke out
last weekend
.
Protesters hope the protest will lead to change, with a general election slated for next year.
This is the case with this mother: “
Ecology was only the spark.
I am here for my children because it is high time to act.
We were all apathetic, we were disappointed, but now everyone has stood up,
”she testifies.
Thousands of protesters who responded to the collective's call paralyzed Serbia by blocking roads and bridges for two hours in around 40 towns.
In Belgrade, the demonstration took on the appearance of a weekend stroll.
The demonstrators have already announced that they want to continue the movement next week.
► To read also: On the front page: in the Balkans, ecology is gaining momentum
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