Anti-gov't protest

Thousands of Zagreb residents take part in protest march

10.03.2011 u 22:16

Bionic
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Five to six thousand citizens took part in Thursday evening's anti-government protest in Zagreb in which they once again called for elections.

The protesters ended in front of the Zagreb cathedral around 9.30 pm, with about 200 protesters shouting "God, help us" and "You shall not steal".

The protest began with a rally of several hundred people in Cvjetni Trg square at 6 pm and proceeded with a march around town during which thousands of people joined in, with stops by the Croatian Postal Bank, the Croatian National Bank (HNB), the offices of the ruling HDZ party, the Interior Ministry, and the T-HT telecommunications company.

According to reporters, the march proceeded with no incidents.

Police said that, depending on the location, the number of the protesters did not exceed 2,000. The police did not have to intervene, their spokeswoman said.

Tonight's protest did not begin with any speeches, unlike previous ones.

The marching protesters were chanting "Everyone to the streets", "HDZ - thieves", "We want elections," "Jaco, go away" - a reference to Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, and "Croatian police - bribery and corruption".

Stopping by the HNB, the protesters were chanting "We won't give the HNB". Walking by several banks in Vukovarska Street, they were shouting "Give us back the money" and "Banks - thieves".

Passing by the headquarters of the trade union federations, the protesters were shouting "You remembered too late" and "Treason".

They also passed by the home of Deputy Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks.

The next protest rally has been announced for Saturday and big rallies all over Croatia for March 19.