Valjevo Residents Gather to Mark Anniversary of Cafe Attack

A crowd of about a hundred people gathered in Valjevo, Serbia, on the evening of August 13, to mark the one-year anniversary of a violent incident at Cafe Romana. On that night last year, masked individuals armed with clubs stormed the cafe, causing damage and injuring several people, including the owner, Vladimir Mihailović, and a guest. The attack occurred in the presence of Mihailović's family, who reportedly required medical attention due to the shock.

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Around one hundred Valjevo residents gathered tonight at the intersection in front of the Higher Court in this city to remember the night of August 13 last year when masked thugs with clubs entered the cafe "Romana" and injured several people, and demolished the cafe.

During the commemoration, a film titled "Treachery," documenting the events of that night, was shown on a screen outside the Higher Court building. The gathering also observed a moment of silence to honor Borislav Perišić, a respected Valjevo lawyer and activist known for his advocacy for democracy and civil liberties, who recently passed away at the age of 96.

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On the board set up in front of the court, the film "Treachery" was shown, which testifies to the events in this city that night.

The article notes that the attack on Cafe Romana took place in the immediate vicinity of police, who witnesses claim did not intervene to prevent the assault. The following day, August 14, a peaceful protest was held in support of the Mihailović family. However, this subsequent gathering was met with what the article describes as "unprecedented police brutality" against citizens, including minors.

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A minute of silence was observed to pay respects to the well-known Valjevo lawyer Borislav Perišić, who left us these days at the age of 96, an activist and fighter for democracy and civil liberties.

The event in Valjevo coincided with a similar protest in Novi Sad, also marking one year since an attack by supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on citizens and students during a protest in that city. The Novi Sad demonstration featured a banner reading "Students are Serbia."

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Namely, on this day, a year ago, Valjevo residents gathered in Hajduk Veljkova Street in Valjevo in front of the premises of the Serbian Progressive Party to show support for those injured in the protest that took place the previous day in Vrbas.