Mothers on hunger strike in Bečej demand transport cost refunds, decry president's 'tirade'

Two mothers in Bečej, Serbia, have escalated their protest against the local municipality by beginning a hunger strike. Kristina Demeter Filipčev and Iva Hromić are demanding retroactive reimbursement for the transportation costs of their children with disabilities to school, costs they claim to have covered themselves for years.

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Yesterday we were a bit cold, at least it was very cold for me in the evening, my throat started to hurt a little, but then I warmed up. Today there is sun so we feel more positive and better.

The women state they have exhausted all other avenues to resolve the issue. Their radical decision follows a recent meeting with the Bečej municipality president, Vuk Radojević, which they described as a staged performance. Hromić, who is also a local councilor, recounted that the president appeared with a media entourage and a pre-placed microphone, launching into what she called a rehearsed tirade after initially stating he would not meet them.

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It seems our expectation that the conversation with him would be civilized was overestimated, which is not possible with him. It's in the realm of fables to have a civilized conversation with him.

Hromić expressed deep anger and humiliation from the encounter, stating the president used "primitive" tactics and misrepresented information about her child. She criticized his behavior as undignified and theatrical, suggesting he should pursue acting. The mothers are demanding reimbursement for the past three years, asserting it is their legal right.

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What he did yesterday was below any dignity, I think he even took it upon himself to use that word towards Kristina... He waited until we were alone, started his tirade, his rehearsed behavior.

Meanwhile, a support protest for the mothers is scheduled for this evening. Hromić reported feeling cold and experiencing a sore throat on the second day of the strike but felt better with the sun. The mothers insist their demands are based on legal entitlements that the municipality has failed to uphold.

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We were angry, humiliated, insulted because he misused information about our children in the lowest, most primitive way. I think what came out about Kristina and her child is truly disgusting and a pile of lies.