It is important to notice that this was the only public performance during the “Sablja” action and, aside from raising citizens’ awareness, its goal was also to show support to Government’s weapon amnesty that had lasted only 15 days.
Today on the plateau in front of the Faculty of Philosophy citizens of Belgrade were symbolically destroying plastic weapons with their families and friends (by throwing them in a “weapon recycling bin”).
Children and youth had a leading role in this performance. Many people had recognized our action as important and participated in “destroying” weapons.
This action represents a symbolic call for weapon destruction – kids, their moms and dads and their grandparents were breaking and throwing away about 500 pieces of plastic guns.
This should be an appeal to those who own illegal weapons to get rid of them so their children may never find it and use it.
Activists were handing out our propaganda material related to previous campaigns against weapons and violence also issued by other non-government organizations and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (leaflet for the most recent campaign named: IT CAN NOT BE LEGALIZED that lasts until April 9).
This action was supported by UNDP Office in Belgrade, The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (www.seesac.org) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
We expect more actions of this sort to be organized in the future.
This action was only the first of many that we intend to perform within the campaign.
We are thankful to TV crews of RTS and RTV B92, as well as to journalists of “Danas”, “Blic” and “Politika”for their support.
We are also thankful to Ms. Mira Adanja-Polak for her support to this campaign.
