A full-blown drama is unfolding in Niš over the trash containers students use to block intersections during protests. The municipal utility company Mediana insists it is not removing containers but merely returning them to their designated spots when unknown individuals move them improperly. Yet, social media and news outlets have shared footage showing workers emptying containers and hauling them away by vehicle, sparking outrage among students and citizens alike. Students have even called on people to dump their trash in front of the Serbian Progressive Party offices if the removals continue, claiming that’s where the garbage truly belongs. The protests in Niš began on June 29, when students started using containers as barricades at intersections in response to mass arrests of students in Belgrade following a large Vidovdan rally. Among those arrested were Niš students, who were later released. This situation has heightened tensions and divided public opinion: on one side, a service claiming to act in the interest of citizens and city cleanliness; on the other, students and citizens who see container removal as an attempt to suppress protests and civil disobedience. This Niš drama is just part of a wider wave of protests and blockades across Serbia, where students and citizens demand justice, change, and freedom of expression. While authorities try to control the situation, citizens and students refuse to back down, using every available means to voice their dissatisfaction. The fight over containers has become a symbol of the broader struggle for rights and freedoms in Serbia. The big question remains — who really controls the streets and public space? Got a hot take or spotted something similar? Drop a comment and let’s unravel this municipal mystery together!
