The students: This is the beginning of our non-violent and democratic struggle for the rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija

The students who organized the performance " Student Index Booklets Walk" today in North Mitrovica emphasized that all participants had their mouths taped to represent the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo, who lack freedom of speech and other human rights. The raised student index booklets toward the Kosovo police symbolized the issuing of a "red card" to those who oppress the Serbs. The organizers stated that today's walk is the beginning of their peaceful and diplomatic struggle for the rights of Serbs in Kosovo, and that similar gatherings will continue in the future.

The organizers, students of the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, announced on their Instagram account "indeks_za_slobodu" that the purpose of the gathering was to support the Serbian people in Kosovo.

"Today, October 23, 2024, starting at 12:44 PM, we, the students of the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, organized the performance 'Index Walk.' In this way, we wanted to show our support for our people in Kosovo and Metohija, who face daily terror and repression by the regime in Pristina. Our taped mouths represented the current state of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, who today lack freedom of speech and other basic human rights," they stated in their announcement.

They emphasized that this is why they did not want to give any statements to the media.

"Our highly raised index booklets towards members of the so-called Kosovo police and the establishments they forcibly opened in the north, as well as toward the building that used to house our library, which was taken from us, symbolize the referee's issuing of a red card to all those who oppress our people," the statement says.

The students announced that today's gathering is the beginning of their democratic, civilized, and non-violent struggle.

Through performances, they intend to show the world what the Serbs in Kosovo are facing today, living a life unworthy of a human being in the 21st century.

They also pointed out that during the walk, they experienced an unpleasant situation when plainclothes inspectors approached them.

"At the end of the performance, which passed without a single incident, inspectors in civilian clothes approached our colleagues and did not allow them to move for several minutes while questioning them. Although it is difficult and unpleasant, this will not deter us in our fight for our rights and a better future for students and the entire Serbian people. From now on, we will announce all our performances and actions exclusively through our Instagram profile, 'indeks_za_slobodu.' Long live the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica! Long live Serbia!" the students declared.