March against hooliganism and violence, Thursday 1st October 2009 at 17:00. Starts at Plato (where the gay parade was also going to be, but was cancelled last minute).
The response in Serbia to Bric Taton’s death was one of widespread anger, shock and dismay. I was dreading a passive, nonchalant response, but of course the people of Serbia made me proud. I was even pleased to see the press report the story in a responsible way, echoing the widespread disgust and shame in Serbia that a guest was attacked and killed in this most hospitable and friendly of countries.
Serbian newspapers express shock and outrage at Bric Taton's murder by hooligans. If you go to the Flickr page linked through the picture above, you can see close-ups of each paper.
Wednesday
Belgrade Mourns French Fan – Balkan Insight
Shock and sorrow over Brice Tautou’s death – Blic
Anti-violence march announced in Belgrade – B92
Commemoration for Brice Taton – B92
Taton killers to be charged with aggravated murder – B92
Victim’s parents speak out over son’s death – B92
Thursday
Brice was happy about trip to Belgrade – Blic
Prosecution to seek ban on hooligan groups - B92
Tadić demands increased security – B92
Friday Update:
The march against violence and in commemoration of Brice Taton was huge! The only irony is that vastly more citizens turned up to express outrage at how this Frenchman was killed than would have turned up to Pride. Plenty of outrage about Bric, but the same hooligans have beaten several gay men to death over the last few years in Belgrade. Where were the marches for them?
Citizens march against violence – B92
Friday anti-violence rally to go ahead – B92
Tadić bemoans “unbroken thread of violence” – B92
Top officials for more severe sentences for hooligans – Blic
Here are a few pics…
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Honestly, I think people in media/government are more worried about their impression in the world than anything else, but then again, I’ve become quite cynical about this place.
No doubt. That is part of the motivation of all wise politicians. The whole response has become VERY political now. Even 1389b are marching against violence claiming that the violence is being orchestrated by others so that they get banned.
I don’t care about press and tv, they are reporting as any media in any county would. It’d be strange any other way.
Response of the people is the other thing. People are really disgusted with what has happened, and I didn’t expect that great number of them lighting candles, bringing flowers and writing notes.
The truth is, I’m more concerned with too strong reactions than lack of it. This ready-to-lynch atmosphere that I experience while talking to people is somewhat gratifying, but it’s not healthy, and certainly not what I was hoping for..
@ peegee
well, I hear your concern… however, those idiots beat a man to death…
Let me repeat this – they beat him to death. They didn’t kill him, they beat him to death. In social downtown of Belgrade.
While pacifism is great and the ideology that is closest to my view of the world – how can you not want to see those and all similar animals put away? For life?
I’d like to see a death penalty re-introduced for extreme cases like this. That or borrow Goli Otok from Croats for a bit. Get a time share for 10-15 yrs…
I know this doesn’t fit well with my siding with pacifism, but when innocents are harmed and the life is taken in such a beastly way and for no reason at all – those who committed the deed should have no right to ever be considered for a parole.
@JD
Great website man. I cant say I fully agree with all your observations, but then again – I don’t fully agree with any news source, blog or any media of that sort, but instead chose to read between the lines of many different news providers and this (for me) new found blog you run provides me with a unique perspective that I actually really appreciate a lot. Keep it up.
Cheers.
@Marko – Thank you for your kind comments. They are very encouraging!