2020–2021 Slovenian protests

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Slovenian protests (2020–)
Date28 February 2020 – ongoing
Location
Slovenia
Caused by
Goals
Methods
Parties to the civil conflict
  • People's Protest Assembly
Government supporters
  • Yellow Vests
Lead figures
none Janez Janša

Shortly after the Third Janša government took office in early 2020, a series of ongoing, large, mostly peaceful protests began to take place. The start of the protests coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Slovenia, with temporary restriction of movement and public gatherings in force to curb the spread of the disease. Early protest actions included displaying flags and banners from balconies and windows. At the end of April, public rallies began to be organised, with most protesters riding a bicycle (as epidemic movement restrictions allowed for movement in public places for the purpose of sports recreation).[1]

On November 5, protests organized by multiple groups not associated with the larger regular protests descended into rioting. Police used tear gas and water cannons in to disperse the rioters.

Background[]

Janez Janša has been accused of eroding freedom of media since assuming office. According to a report by the International Press Institute, Slovenia has experienced a swift downturn in media and press freedom. IPI accused Janša of creating a hostile environment for journalists through his tweets, which IPI described as "vitriolic attacks".[1][2] He has also been accused of usurping power and corruption. He is often compared to Viktor Orbán because of his authoritarianism.[3][4]

Timeline[]

March[]

After formation of the 14th government of Slovenia, Slovenians began displaying flags and banners on the balconies and windows.[citation needed] Street protests were not organized in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April[]

On 27 April, the first street protests occurred in Ljubljana, Maribor, and few smaller cities. Protests were organized by Facebook group "Resistance to government of Slovenia".[5]

May[]

On 1 May, around 3,500 cyclists held a peaceful protest in Ljubljana.

On 8 May, around 7,000 cyclists protested in front of National Assembly Building. Former prime minister Marjan Šarec expressed his sympathy for the protestors.[6]

On the night of 14 May, police placed a fence in front of the national assembly. The following day, protestors jumped over the fence and wrote "our property" inside the fenced area. The environmental group, Youth for Climate Justice, also participated in the day's protests. One person was arrested.[7]

On 22 May, a protest was held in front of National Assembly Building. As with the protest on 14 May, environmental groups joined the protests.[8]

On 29 May, protestors turned their back to the National Assembly and stood in silence for 2 minutes. Several protestors were fined for writing with chalk on the sidewalk, including theater director Jaša Jenull. The size of this protest has been disputed. Police estimated that around 5,000 people gathered during protest, while other sources have estimated that as many as 10,000 were in attendance.[9]

June[]

On 5 June, after many protestors wrote with chalk on sidewalk in the style of the 29 May protest, the police abandoned their plan to fine protestors for the act.[10]

On 12 June, protestors folded paper airplanes and threw them at the police officers who were guarding fenced area in front of the National Assembly. The paper planes were inscribed with the phrase "Death to Janšism, freedom to everyone," in reference to the anti-Axis resistance slogan. The slogan was also shouted by some of the protestors. Around 8 PM local time, police clashed with protestors who attempted to remove the fence in front of the National Assembly. A group of protestors jumped over the fence, but were stopped before reaching the National Assembly. Seven people were taken to the police station and fined. Among those who jumped over the fence was artist Jaša Mrevlje Pollak, he was arrested and held in police van, he was released after 30 minutes with no criminal charges.[11][12][13]

On 19 June, peaceful protests were held in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje. Protestors called on police to join the protests.[14]

On 25 June, on which Statehood day is celebrated in Slovenia, protestors organized an "alternative celebration" prior to the official festivities. Protestors were met by around 30 counter-protestors in yellow vests, and police created a corridor between the two groups to prevent their confrontation. The anti-protestors called themselves "yellow vests," inspired by the French protest movement. [15] Eight counter-protestors were later identified to be members of the Slovenian neo-Nazi group Blood & Honour.[citation needed]

On 26 June, during a series of peaceful protests in Ljubljana, protestors put chains on the hands of the France Prešeren statue. The move was viewed as symbolic of their argument that civil liberty in Slovenia was declining under the new government.[16]

July[]

On 3 July, pro-government counter-protestors again appeared to counter the peaceful protest in Ljubljana. Nearly 100 organizations and initiatives have strongly condemned the actions of the counter-protestors, while representatives of the counter-protest told the media that their aims were to prevent a coup. [17]

On 10 July, after a long time National Assembly wasn't fenced for the protest but there was large police presence.[18]

On 17 July, protestors created "protest Protest people's assembly" in order to establish clearer demands.[19]

On 24 July, some protestors gathered earlier to protest for women's rights and express support for MeToo movement. Protest people's assembly continued to form demands and made expectations for future of Slovenia.[20]

On 31 July, protestors made a giant puppet of Janez Janša to mock him. Protest people's assembly made 245 proposals, ideas and demands about change in education, health, changes in electoral legislation, workers' rights and environmental protection.[21]

August[]

There were no incidents on protests during August.

On 7 August, protests started in coastal town of Izola after a report that town paid two hotel rooms for Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec. Protests continued in Ljubljana.[22]

On 14 August, protest was significantly smaller due to heavy rain. Government has announced that it will increase military spending that week which protestors on Friday described as "theft" and have strongly opposed.[23]

On 21 August, peaceful protest was held in Ljubljana. In speeches protestors talked about rise of authoritarianism in their country.[24]

On 28 August, protestors focused on environmental issues, protest took place in front of National Assembly and building of Ministry of Environment.[25]

September[]

On 4 September, protestors were peaceful, in speeches protestors again called for resignation of the entire government and encouraged people who encounter corruption at work to become whistleblowers.[26][27]

On 11 September, "flame of protest" was lit as symbol of resistance, speakers of the protest criticized opposition parties for shifting towards Janšism. They asked oppositions leaders what will they do to change the government, saying that if they refuse to answer they will remember that. Protest ended with no incidents.[28]

On 18 September, protestors carrying torches surrounded the National Assembly and shouted "We are the State" and "Streets are ours". Police on horseback guarded both front and back entrances of the National Assembly. Despite the tensions protest ended without incidents.[29]

On 25 September, protestors focused on economic issues and new tax reform which will make rich pay lower taxes. They placed large writing over the entrance of ministry of finance reading "Ministry for the rich". Protestors also pointed out that during COVID-19 crisis privileges for the rich have increased.[30]

October[]

On 2 October, protest took place in front Ministry of Health. They called Slovenian public healthcare catastrophic and demanded reform, they said that government has been privatizing healthcare and making it closer to the elite.[31]

On 9 October, protestors gathered at Prešeren Square, police started removing them from the square over violations of the decree limiting public gatherings, police also IDed the protestors. Demonstrators called police's action repression and disgrace, activist Jaša Jenull said that protestors were responsible: wore face masks and kept safe distance. Some organizations claimed that police used excessive force and demanded public apology and clarification of the events. Police has denied those claims, and general director of the police Andrej Jurič said that police only performed their task of maintaining public order and peace. Six people were detained but were released without criminal charges.[32][33][34][35]

On 16 October, police presence was increased because of incidents on previous Friday, protests were peaceful and have ended without incidents.[36]

On 23 October, handful of protestors gathered despite complete ban on movement and public gatherings, they were monitored by the police. There were no incidents, but the police IDed 11 people. After this protest further Friday street protests have been cancelled due to increased number of people infected with COVID-19 in Slovenia, activist said that people should protest from their homes.[37][38]

On 29 October, protest was held on Thursday in support of Polish protests.

November[]

In November, Friday protests were not held due the spread of COVID-19. Instead, Friday protestors started protesting from homes. However, new group of conspiracy theorists who do not believe in COVID-19 started staging protests.

On 5 November, members of OPS (Aware People of Slovenia, Slovenian: "Osveščeni prebivalci Slovenije") and Anonymous Slovenia groups organized protest. OPS members believe COVID-19 is a conspiracy and that it doesn't exist. Anonymous Slovenia group distanced itself from OPS, members of Anonymous Slovenia group also wore face masks. Ljubljana police department was reinforced by police departments from other cities and by special police unit of Slovenia. OPS members gathered around 5 PM, and soon attacked the police with torches, stones and pyrotechnics and police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Protestors at one point tried to storm into National Assembly but were unsuccessful. Around 8 PM police started to surround the protestors and managed to clear the Prešeren Square around 9:30 PM. Fifteen policeman were injured, two protestors were severely injured, one journalist was injured as well. Protest people's assembly of Friday protestors said that government attempted to us these riots to link violence to cyclist protestors who have protested peacefully for months, they also said that they believe those riots were staged by the government.[38][39][40][41][42][43]

2021 protests[]

On April 27, thousands rallied in Ljubljana to protest against Janez Janša and his increasing government authoritarianism and accusations of governmental corruption. Around 20,000 rallied in the capital, according to organisers.[44]

On May 28, 10,000 people gathered to mobilise against Janez Janša, demanding new elections and gathering in Prešeren Square and close to the presidential palace, with this protest named All Slovenia. Uprising.[45]

Protest groups[]

There are currently three groups in Slovenia that protest against the government but they do not collaborate and even oppose each other. Those are Friday cyclist protestors, OPS - Aware People of Slovenia Organization and Anonymous Slovenia.

Friday cyclist protestors[]

Protests against Janez Janša in Ljubljana, May 28th 2021.

First Friday protest was organized on 27 April by Facebook group "Resistance to government of Slovenia" [5] Those protestors advocate for peaceful protest and most of them protest on bicycles but they accompanied by protestors on foot.[1] They protested on every Friday between 27 April and 23 October when further protests were cancelled due to second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.[38] Multiple organizations are taking part of this protest most prominent being: Youth Activist Organization and Slovenian Antifa. On 17 July those protestors created "Protest people's assembly", which by the end of July made 245 demands, proposals and ideas to the government focusing on social, economic, and environmental issues.[19][21] Theater director and activist is the most prominent speaker of Friday protests. When Anonymous Slovenia announced that it will be staging the protest and OPS announced that it will join them, Friday protestors urged people not to go on that protest. Their symbol is the white bicycle sign on red Triglav symbol.[38]

Protest symbols against Janez Janša in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Anonymous Slovenia[]

Anonymous Slovenia group is part of larger international Anonymous group. They were first to call for people to gather on protest on 5 November and OPS later announced that they will join them. Anonymous Slovenia distanced itself from OPS when OPS announced that they will join them. On protest on 5 November they wore Guy Fawkes masks and shouted "thieves" at the police in front of National Assembly. Once protests on 5 November finished, Anonymous Slovenia spokesperson on twitter wrote “as we unfortunately expected, certain individuals or groups effectively discredited our protests”, they also insisted that they called people to protest peacefully. After Friday protestors urged people not to go on protest on 5 November Anonymous Slovenia spokesperson on twitter called them "traitors" and called them out saying that they don't really want Janez Janša out of office.[40][46]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Zašto Slovenci protestuju na biciklima". BBC News na srpskom (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  2. ^ "Jansa is Eroding Press Freedom in Slovenia, IPI Warns". Balkan Insight. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  3. ^ "Will Janez Janša take Slovenia down the same populist road as Hungary?". euronews. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  4. ^ "In a Hungarian Corner of Slovenia, a Homegrown Orban". Balkan Insight. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  5. ^ a b "I Slovenija "ustala" protiv mera vlade: Protesti u Ljubljani, Mariboru i još nekoliko gradova". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  6. ^ "Novi "biciklistički" protest protiv vlasti u Ljubljani". N1 Srbija (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  7. ^ "Svet24.si - FOTO: V središču prestolnice spet več tisoč protivladnih kolesarjev, Janša protestnike primerjal z "vardisti"". Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  8. ^ "Novi protest protiv vlade, hiljade biciklista u Ljubljani". N1 Srbija (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  9. ^ "Proti vladi Janeza Janše kolesarili tudi v Berlinu". www.delo.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  10. ^ "Kljub dežju kolesarili: protivladni protest v znamenju pisanja s kredami". Mladina.si. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  11. ^ "Artist who represented Slovenia at 2015 Venice Biennale detained as country enters eighth week of anti-government protests". www.theartnewspaper.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  12. ^ "Artists in Ljubljana Join Anti-Government Protests". www.artforum.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  13. ^ "HILJADE LJUDI NA ANTIVLADINIM PROTESTIMA U LJUBLJANI: Uhapšeno 7 demonstranata! Hteli da uđu u skupštinu! (VIDEO)". kurir.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  14. ^ "(FOTO in VIDEO) Policija pred DZ odstranila protestnike, v Ljubljani več tisoč protestnikov, po več sto protestnikov tudi v Mariboru in Celju". www.vecer.com (in Slovenian). 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  15. ^ "Protestnike na Prešernovem trgu pričakali rumeni jopiči". RTVSLO.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  16. ^ "Svet24.si - FOTO: Protestniki v Ljubljani Prešernu nadeli okove, v Mariboru zaprli most". Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  17. ^ "11th Week of Anti-Govt, Anti-Fascist & Anti-Anti-Fascist Protests in Ljubljana (Video)". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  18. ^ "12th Week of Ljubljana Pro-, Anti- Govt Protests". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  19. ^ a b "Anti-Govt Protests Enter 13th Week". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  20. ^ "In 14th Week, Ljubljana Protests Turn to Women's Rights". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  21. ^ a b "Danes protest posvečamo samo tebi, Janez Janša". www.delo.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  22. ^ "Protests Continue in Ljubljana, Izola". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  23. ^ "Foto: Kljub nalivom se je zbralo nekaj petkovih protestnikov". RTVSLO.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  24. ^ "This Week's Ljubljana Protest Focuses on National Bureau of Investigation". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  25. ^ "Na sinočnjem protestu v Ljubljani 4000 ljudi, v ospredju okoljski problemi". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  26. ^ "Svet24.si - FOTO: 20. protivladni protest: tokrat so ga posvetili tudi "opogumljanju žvižgačev"". Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  27. ^ "Na protestu v Ljubljani okrog 4.000 udeležencev". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  28. ^ "Friday's Ljubljana Protest Calls on Individuals to Resist Govt". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  29. ^ "(FOTO in VIDEO) Protestniki v Ljubljani zahtevali odstop Hojsa in vlade, Janša jim sporoča: Ste 0,1 odstotka države". www.vecer.com (in Slovenian). 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  30. ^ "Svet24.si - FOTO: Protestniki Galeta ne dajo, v ukrepih vlade vidijo privilegije za elito". Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  31. ^ "V ospredju tokratnega petkovega protesta razmere v zdravstvu". Dnevnik. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  32. ^ "Police Increase Action Against Ljubljana Protestors (Video)". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  33. ^ "STA: Tensions flare at Friday protest in Ljubljana". english.sta.si. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  34. ^ "Policija na protestih v Ljubljani popisala več ljudi #foto #video". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  35. ^ "Na policiji zavračajo očitke o nasilju nad protestniki". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  36. ^ "Vsak dan prvi - 24ur.com". www.24ur.com. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  37. ^ "Svet24.si - Shod v središču Ljubljane, ugotavljali identitete 11 posameznikov". Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  38. ^ a b c d "Organizatorji petkovih protestov: "Ne hodite na današnji protest!"". Mladina.si. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  39. ^ "Spopad v Ljubljani: policija proti izgrednikom uporabila vodni top". www.24ur.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  40. ^ a b "(FOTO in VIDEO) Pred parlamentom podivjano vzdušje, odrivanje, tudi nekaj pokov. Policisti obkolili območje". www.vecer.com (in Slovenian). 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  41. ^ "Violence Between Protesters & Police in Ljubljana (Videos)". www.total-slovenia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  42. ^ "STA: Police say use of force proportionate at Thursday's riot". english.sta.si. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  43. ^ "Obsodbe se vrstijo, a vprašanje je, kdo je proteste sploh organiziral". www.delo.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  44. ^ "Slovenian Protesters Rally Against 'Degradation of Democracy'". Balkan Insight. April 27, 2021.
  45. ^ "Slovenians Mobilise for Another Anti-Jansa Push, Demanding Elections". Balkan Insight. May 28, 2021.
  46. ^ "Protesters Clash with Police at Rally in Slovenian Capital". Balkan Insight. 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
Retrieved from ""