Thousands March in Croatia Against Rising Fascism and Hate Speech

Protests erupted across Croatia on October 7, 2023, as thousands gathered under the banner “United Against Fascism” in response to increasing violence, threats, and hate speech in several cities. The central demonstration took place in Zagreb, with additional gatherings occurring in Rijeka, Pula, and Zadar.

In the Croatian capital, protesters marched from the Main Train Station to the Holocaust Victims Memorial, highlighting the historical context of their cause. Local media reported that the gathering remained peaceful, supported by a strong police presence. Estimates indicate that several thousand people participated in the Zagreb march.

Ivona Grgurinović, a member of the Initiative “United Against Fascism,” expressed concerns about the growing fascization of society. She noted increasing intolerance towards different communities and the troubling normalization of Ustaša-related crimes, particularly within governmental institutions.

Maja Sever, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Union and the European Federation of Journalists, also spoke at the event. She emphasized the rising hostility faced by journalists in recent times, urging them not to remain silent. “It is unacceptable for individuals to be labeled as threats simply because they come from a different background,” Sever stated. She affirmed that journalists would continue to uphold democracy and investigate injustices.

Actor and film director Damir Markovina addressed the gathering, asserting that societal impoverishment is not caused by artists and migrants but by poor policies and criminal elements. “For thirty-five years, we have been hostages to war profiteers and purveyors of hate,” he remarked. He invited Croatian citizens of Serbian descent to feel included, stating, “You are our friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We stand with you.”

In Pula, more than a thousand people gathered outside the Rojc Social Centre. Among the crowd were local officials, including Boris Miletić, the Istrian County Prefect, and Peđa Grbin, the mayor of Pula. Participants carried banners with slogans such as “Allergic to Fascism” and “Freedom is Stronger than Fear.”

The most volatile situation occurred in Rijeka, where tensions flared as the march moved from Jadranski Square towards the Liberation Monument. Local reports indicated that police intervened to prevent clashes between the protesters and a group dressed in black who shouted nationalist slogans. Special police units successfully defused the situation before it escalated.

In Zadar, a Dalmatian march also took place, described as one of the larger anti-fascist gatherings in the region. Though there was an attempt by a local group to provoke a confrontation, the presence of intervention police ensured that the protest remained largely peaceful.

The Initiative “United Against Fascism” comprises approximately ten organizations formed in direct response to what they describe as pervasive violence and fear in Croatian urban centers. Organizers believe that the normalization of fascism and Ustaša ideology has created an increasingly unsafe environment. The marches are intended to signify a long-term commitment to resisting hate and violence, with organizers promising future events as part of their ongoing efforts.