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(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, MAY 19 - Tens of thousands of people
gathered in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Friday, amid growing
concern at rising levels of violence following two mass
shootings that killed 18 people this month. The rally marked the
third major "Serbia against violence" protest in recent weeks,
which has brought thousands to the streets calling for the
resignation of top officials. "We are in shock, disbelief and we
are angry," protester Jelena Mihajlovic told the crowd gathered
in front of the parliament on Friday. "And a question echoes
with all of us -- what kind of country are we leaving for our
children?" The protests are some of the largest rallies to rock
Serbia since mass demonstrations triggered the fall of former
strongman Slobodan Milosevic more than two decades ago. The
demonstrators want the government to revoke the broadcasting
licences of television channels promoting violent content, and a
ban on pro-government newspapers that stir tensions by targeting
political dissidents. They have also called for the resignation
of the interior minister and the head of the intelligence
service. On Friday, members of the pro-European opposition
stormed out of a special session of parliament, accusing the
ruling party and its allies of aiming to "silence the rally"
rather than address the issues raised by the demonstrators.
(ANSA-AFP).
(ANSA-AFP).
