Vidovdan gathering of Serbs in North Mitrovica: Cry and plea heard to the Heavens

A large Vidovdan gathering of Serbs from the north of Kosovo has begun at the Milic Brothers Square in North Mitrovica, where the "Vidovdan Declaration" will be adopted.

The participants carry banners saying "Enough waiting, we want the Community of Serb Municipalities," "No retreat, no surrender," and "Free our detained brothers," with the names of the arrested individuals.

Tanja Vujovic, the dean of the Faculty of Economics, addressed the crowd and stated that her "cry and plea will be heard to the heavens."

"My dear suffering Serbian people, it is difficult for me to speak before you on the eve of the tragic Vidovdan. My cry and plea will be heard to the heavens. ROSU members demonstrate force and sow fear. They prohibit the entry of trucks and deny access to the municipal building. The unjust arrests of our brothers, husbands, and friends hurt us the most. Their guilt lies in their love for the homeland. We mourn for Lune, Dusan, and all the others," Vujovic said.

She added that Pristina's intention is to have half the Serbs arrested and the other half expelled.

"As I watch them being arrested, I am in disbelief that the international community allows this. Then comes the fear of our youth, and then the pride that I am part of this brave and patient nation. We must preserve in our hearts the faith in who we are and what we represent on this land, God's plan for my people to unite and multiply. We have suffered enough; we want this madness to end soon and to remain in our homes. Let us become a candle and pray for the salvation of our kin on the sacred Serbian land," Vujovic added.

Selma Muratovic, the sister of Dusan Obrenovic, who was arrested by the Kosovo Police on May 29th and brutally beaten, stated that her brother is unjustly imprisoned.

"Dusan was unjustly arrested in front of the whole world; in two days, it will be a month since he was taken away. I long for his return. They arrested him because he peacefully protested. He is not a criminal; he is an honest young man who works to earn his bread. They brutally beat him. I ask Europe - why? The sister's tears are begging you for Dusan's and our fellow citizens' return, our brothers. Thank you all for being here and offering support so that the unjustly detained can return to their families," Muratovic said.

Former Mayor of Zvecan, Dragisa Milovic, reminded the attendees that they are gathered today at the Milic Brothers Square, where Serbian heroes gave their lives for freedom.

"We have gathered on the eve of Vidovdan, where our heroes gave their lives on the sacred Serbian land, to once again show Europe how the Serbian people live in hardship. It has been a month since Pristina, with long guns, occupied the municipalities unilaterally, preventing citizens from going to work, without any legal basis, arresting and torturing them. For a month now, with the presence of KFOR, EULEX, and the Quint ambassadors, they have remained silent in the face of this. We want the crisis to be resolved peacefully. The release of three policemen is a sign that Serbia wants the crisis to be resolved peacefully through talks and negotiations," Milovic said.

He added that Serbs want their brothers and fellow citizens to be released so they can defend themselves while being free and in their homes.

"We want EULEX, KFOR, the Quint, and the USA to advocate for their release from the casemates. However, we do not see good will; tensions are rising, and more arrests are announced. Zvecan was occupied, with police carrying long guns under the pretext of terrorism. Regardless of the difficult period that awaits us because they want to see our backs and to carry out ethnic cleansing, we will persist in our democratic struggle. We belong here, and with the support of our mother country, we will succeed," Milovic emphasized.

For a month now, Serbs from northern Kosovo have been peacefully protesting in Leposavic, Zvecan, and Zubin Potok, dissatisfied with the presence of Kosovo Police Special Forces in municipal buildings, the appointment of illegitimate Albanian mayors, and the arrests of their compatriots after peaceful protests.

At the same time, Serbs living south of the Ibar River held a large Vidovdan gathering in Gracanica.