CALL FOR A SOLIDARITY RALLY
Civil society organizations invite all citizens, activists, journalists, and free-thinking people to a solidarity gathering with the Gruhonjić family, which will be held today, June 22 at 19:30, in front of Balzakova 45 in Novi Sad.
The vandal attack and destruction of the car belonging to David Gruhonjić, son of journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić, represents the crossing of the final red line. This attack is not an isolated incident, but a direct and logical consequence of months and years of a systematically organized smear campaign against Dinko Gruhonjić in pro-regime media.
After continuous labeling, targeting, placing a target on his back, and calling him a “state enemy”, “traitor”, “Ustaša”, and “hater of Serbia” by the very top of the government, the transition from media lynching and graffiti writing to directly threatening the safety of his children and family was only a matter of time. This is precisely what makes this act even more dangerous: it is the result of an atmosphere of hatred that the top of the regime creates consciously, systematically, and continuously.
When violence spills over onto the streets in this way and is directed at the families of those who dare to think and speak freely, it is a clear signal that no one is safe. If we remain silent today regarding the persecution and intimidation of children, tomorrow it could be any other citizen.
Therefore, we call for a gathering to clearly show and convey that we demand the accountability of institutions and instigators, and to request the urgent identification, arrest, and prosecution not only of the direct perpetrators of this criminal act but also to call to account all those who inspire such violence from positions of power.
We must show that we do not consent to terror and intimidation, that we will not allow street violence and target drawing to become the norm in our society, and that the Gruhonjić family is not and will not be alone in this persecution.
We invite you to stand together today at 19:30 in defense of safety, freedom, and human dignity. Let us show that our response to their hatred is our unity and determination to defend democracy.
See you there!
Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina
Vojvodina Club
Academy for Democratic Development
Civic Vojvodina Coalition
