Novi Sad, Serbia – On the evening of February 16, 2026, Liberty Square became the center of tension as police moved into City Hall during a protest coinciding with the 200th anniversary ceremony of Matica Srpska at the nearby Serbian National Theater. Video filmed by Milica captures the dramatic deployment.

The footage opens on the dimly lit square outside the ornate City Hall, its arched portico glowing under yellow lights. Officers bundled in winter gear push forward toward the entrance, some jogging or striding purposefully, their footsteps echoing on the stone pavement as distant chants and shouts from protesters fill the air.

Inside, the camera follows the police through a corridor lined with tall columns and arched windows. Figures move deeper into the building, silhouetted against warm interior lights. The unsteady footage conveys the chaotic advance with no visible resistance at the doors, highlighting urgency as officers position themselves amid the broader rally.

A lingering shot down the empty hallway shows the group having moved further in, emphasizing police entry into the symbolic seat of local power during a night marked by clashes elsewhere on the square.

The protest was part of ongoing nationwide unrest sparked by the 2024 Novi Sad railway station collapse that killed 16. Thousands gathered despite President Vucic’s canceled visit, chanting against corruption and negligence. The rally turned volatile when hooded attackers assaulted student protesters near the theater, injuring several before police intervened. City Hall became a secured site amid heavy security and the presence of state officials.

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