2020–2022 Slovenian protests
{{use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox civil conflict|place=Slovenia
|date=28 February 2020{{snd}}22 April 2022
|causes=
- Opposition to the third Janša cabinet|side1=* People's Protest Assembly|side2=* Government of Slovenia and supporters (Yellow Vests)
- Police
|leadfigures1=None|leadfigures2=Janez Janša|goals=* Resignation of Janez Janša's government
- Snap election|howmany1=|howmany2=|methods=* Rallies
- Non-violent direct action
- Civil disobedience|arrests=|image=|caption=Police clashes with protestors on 12th of June|side3= |leadfigures3=|howmany3=|injuries=|damage=}}
Shortly after the third Janša government took office in early 2020, a series of large, mostly-peaceful protests were held. The start of the protests coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia, with temporary restriction of movement and public gatherings in force to curb the spread of the disease. Early protests included the display of flags and banners from balconies and windows. At the end of April, public rallies began to be organised; most protesters bicycled, since recreational movement was permitted in public places.{{Cite news|title=Zašto Slovenci protestuju na biciklima|language=sr-latn|work=BBC News na srpskom|url=https://www.bbc.com/serbian/lat/balkan-52848572|access-date=2020-10-30}} Between April 2020 and April 2022, when a scheduled parliamentary election was held, there were 105 protest rallies organised each Friday by a coalition of non-governmental organisations and civil groups called "People's Protest Assembly" (Protestna ljudska skupščina).{{cite book |title=105 petkov: kolesarski protesti 2020-2022 |publisher=Založba ZRC |year=2023 |isbn=978-961-05-0742-0 |location=Ljubljana |url=https://plus.cobiss.net/cobiss/si/sl/bib/152023299}} Besides the periodic Friday protests, there were occasional demonstrations called for by other groups, including protests against anti-Covid measures{{Cite news |date=2021-10-27 |title=Sredni protestniki znova proti PCT-pogoju in vladnim ukrepom |trans-title=Wednesday Protesters Again Against the PCT Rule and Government Measures |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/sredni-protestniki-znova-proti-pct-pogoju-in-vladnim-ukrepom/599007 |access-date=2024-02-16 |work=MMC RTV-SLO |language=sl}} and pro-government rallies;{{Cite news |date=2020-07-03 |title=Protivladni protestniki na ulice že desetič, hkrati shod rumenih jopičev |trans-title=Anti-government Protesters on the Streets for the Tenth Time, Simultaneously With a Yellow Vests Rally |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/protivladni-protestniki-na-ulice-ze-desetic-tokrat-spet-na-kolesih.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |work=24ur.com |language=sl}} notably, on 5 November 2020, protests organized by groups not associated with the regular protests led to riots. Several systemic and operative flaws were identified in the Police handling of the protests, including excessive use of force.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-06 |title=Nesorazmerna in neupravičena uporaba sile |trans-title=Excessive and Unjustified Use of Force |url=https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/nesorazmerna-in-neupravicena-uporaba-sile/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |work=Delo |language=sl}}
Background
Janez Janša had been accused of eroding media freedom since he took office. According to a report by the International Press Institute, Slovenia has experienced a swift downturn in media and press freedom. The IPI accused Janša of creating a hostile environment for journalists through his tweets, which the institute called "vitriolic attacks".{{Cite web|date=2020-09-02|title=Jansa is Eroding Press Freedom in Slovenia, IPI Warns|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/09/02/jansa-is-eroding-press-freedom-in-slovenia-ipi-warns/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}} He has also been accused of corruption and usurping power, and his authoritarianism is often compared to that of Viktor Orbán.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-28|title=Will Janez Janša take Slovenia down the same populist road as Hungary?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/28/will-janez-jansa-take-slovenia-down-the-same-populist-road-as-hungary|access-date=2020-10-30|website=euronews|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-30|title=In a Hungarian Corner of Slovenia, a Homegrown Orban|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/30/in-a-hungarian-corner-of-slovenia-a-homegrown-orban/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}}
Timeline
{{update|date=February 2024}}
=2020=
== March ==
After the formation of the 14th government of Slovenia, Slovenians began displaying flags and banners on the balconies and windows.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Street protests were not yet organized because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
== April ==
The first street protests occurred in Ljubljana, Maribor, and a few smaller cities on 27 April. They were organized by the Resistance to the Government of Slovenia Facebook group.{{Cite web|title=I Slovenija "ustala" protiv mera vlade: Protesti u Ljubljani, Mariboru i još nekoliko gradova|url=https://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/jugosfera/3183146-i-slovenija-ustala-protiv-mera-vlade-protesti-u-ljubljani-mariboru-i-jos-nekoliko-gradova|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Telegraf.rs|date=27 April 2020 |language=sr}}
== May ==
On 1 May, around 3,500 cyclists held a peaceful protest in Ljubljana. A week later, about 7,000 cyclists protested in front of the National Assembly Building. Former prime minister Marjan Šarec expressed his sympathy with the protestors.{{Cite web|title=Novi "biciklistički" protest protiv vlasti u Ljubljani|url=http://rs.n1info.com/Region/a597567/Novi-biciklisticki-protest-protiv-vlasti-u-Ljubljani.html|access-date=2020-10-31|website=N1 Srbija|language=sr-Latn}}
During the night of 14 May, police placed a fence in front of the National Assembly Building. The following day, protestors jumped over the fence and wrote "our property" inside the fenced area. The Youth for Climate Justice environmental group participated in the day's protests, in which one person was arrested.{{Cite web|title=Svet24.si - FOTO: V središču prestolnice spet več tisoč protivladnih kolesarjev, Janša protestnike primerjal z "vardisti"|url=https://novice.svet24.si/clanek/novice/slovenija/5ec807d92b464/protest|access-date=2020-11-01|website=Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu|language=sl}}
On 22 May, another protest was held in front of the National Assembly Building. Like the 14 May protests, environmental groups participated.{{Cite web|title=Novi protest protiv vlade, hiljade biciklista u Ljubljani|url=http://rs.n1info.com/Region/a602427/Novi-protest-protiv-vlade-hiljade-biciklista-u-Ljubljani.html|access-date=2020-11-01|website=N1 Srbija|language=sr-Latn}}
A week later, protestors turned their backs on the National Assembly Building and stood in silence for two minutes. Several, including theatrical director Jaša Jenull, were fined for writing with chalk on the sidewalk. The size of this protest has been disputed; police estimated that about 5,000 people gathered, but other sources said that as many as 10,000 were in attendance.{{Cite web|title=Proti vladi Janeza Janše kolesarili tudi v Berlinu|url=https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/ponoven-protest-kolesarjev/|access-date=2020-11-01|website=www.delo.si|language=sl-si}}
== June ==
On 5 June, after many protestors wrote with chalk on the sidewalk (as in the 29 May protest), police abandoned their plan to fine protestors for the act.{{Cite web|title=Kljub dežju kolesarili: protivladni protest v znamenju pisanja s kredami|url=https://www.mladina.si/198929/kljub-dezju-kolesarili-protivladni-protest-v-znamenju-pisanja-s-kredami/|access-date=2020-11-01|website=Mladina.si}} A week later, protestors threw paper plane at police officers who were guarding the fenced area in front of the National Assembly Building. The paper planes contained the phrase "Death to Janšism, freedom to everyone," citing the anti-Axis resistance slogan, and the slogan was chanted by some of the protestors. Around 8:00 pm, police clashed with protestors who were trying to remove the fence in front of the National Assembly Building. A group of protestors jumped over the fence, but were stopped before reaching the building; seven people were arrested and fined. Among those who jumped the fence was artist Jaša Mrevlje Pollak, who was arrested and held in a police van for 30 minutes before being released with no charges.{{Cite web|title=Artist who represented Slovenia at 2015 Venice Biennale detained as country enters eighth week of anti-government protests|url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/uncertainty-and-distress-slovenian-artists-protesting-against-cultural-austerity-are-met-with-police-violence|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.theartnewspaper.com|date=16 June 2020 }}{{Cite web|title=Artists in Ljubljana Join Anti-Government Protests|url=https://www.artforum.com/news/artists-in-ljubljana-join-anti-government-protests-83253|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.artforum.com|date=16 June 2020 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=HILJADE LJUDI NA ANTIVLADINIM PROTESTIMA U LJUBLJANI: Uhapšeno 7 demonstranata! Hteli da uđu u skupštinu! (VIDEO)|url=https://www.kurir.rs/region/3480195/hiljade-ljudi-na-antivladinim-protestima-u-ljubljani-uhapseno-7-demonstranata-hteli-da-udju-u-skupstinu-video|access-date=2020-11-02|website=kurir.rs|language=sr}}
On 19 June, peaceful protests were held in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje. Protestors called on police to join the protests.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-19|title=(FOTO in VIDEO) Policija pred DZ odstranila protestnike, v Ljubljani več tisoč protestnikov, po več sto protestnikov tudi v Mariboru in Celju|url=https://www.vecer.com/slovenija/spremljamo-policija-pred-drzavnim-zborom-iz-ograjenega-dela-odstranila-protestnike-10185846|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.vecer.com|language=sl-si}}
Six days later, on Slovenia's Statehood Day, protestors organized an "alternative celebration" before the official festivities. They were met by about 30 counter-protestors in yellow vests, and police created a corridor between the groups to prevent a confrontation. The counter-protestors called themselves "Yellow Vests," inspired by the French protest movement.{{Cite web|title=Protestnike na Prešernovem trgu pričakali rumeni jopiči|url=https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/protestnike-na-presernovem-trgu-pricakali-rumeni-jopici/528414|access-date=2020-10-30|website=RTVSLO.si|language=sl}} Eight counter-protestors were later identified as members of the Slovenian branch of the neo-Nazi group Blood & Honour. {{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
On 26 June, during a series of peaceful protests in Ljubljana, protestors put chains on the hands of the statue of France Prešeren. The symbolic move declared that civil liberty in Slovenia was declining under the new government.{{Cite web|title=Svet24.si - FOTO: Protestniki v Ljubljani Prešernu nadeli okove, v Mariboru zaprli most|url=https://novice.svet24.si/clanek/novice/slovenija/5ef63e802276d/foto-protestniki-presernu-nadeli-okove|access-date=2020-11-02|website=Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu|language=sl}}
== July ==
On 3 July, pro-government counter-protestors again appeared at a peaceful protest in Ljubljana. Nearly 100 organizations condemned the counter-protestors, whose representatives told the media that they aimed to prevent a coup.{{Cite web|title=11th Week of Anti-Govt, Anti-Fascist & Anti-Anti-Fascist Protests in Ljubljana (Video)|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6545-11th-week-of-anti-govt-anti-fascist-anti-anti-fascist-protests-in-ljubljana-video|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}}
A week later, the National Assembly Building was not fenced but there was a large police presence.{{Cite web|title=12th Week of Ljubljana Pro-, Anti- Govt Protests|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6583-12th-week-of-ljubljana-protests|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}} On 17 July, a "people's assembly" clarified the protestors' demands.{{Cite web|title=Anti-Govt Protests Enter 13th Week|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6623-anti-govt-protests-enter-13th-week|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}} A week later, protestors gathered early to support women's rights and the Me Too movement. The people's assembly continued to formulate demands for the country's future.{{Cite web|title=In 14th Week, Ljubljana Protests Turn to Women's Rights|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6663-in-14th-week-ljubljana-protests-turn-to-women-s-rights|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}}
On 31 July, protestors made a giant puppet of Janez Janša. The people's assembly formulated 245 proposals, ideas and demands for changes in education, health, election law, workers' rights and environmental protection.{{Cite web|title=Danes protest posvečamo samo tebi, Janez Janša|url=https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/protestniki-na-ulice-ze-petnajstic-zapored/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.delo.si|language=sl-si}}
== August ==
On 7 August, protests began in the coastal town of Izola after a report that the town had paid for two hotel rooms for Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec. Protests continued in Ljubljana.{{Cite web|title=Protests Continue in Ljubljana, Izola|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6736-protests-continue-in-ljubljana-izola|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}} A week later, protests were significantly smaller due to heavy rain. The government announced that it would increase military spending, which protestors called "theft".{{Cite web|title=Foto: Kljub nalivom se je zbralo nekaj petkovih protestnikov|url=https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-kljub-nalivom-se-je-zbralo-nekaj-petkovih-protestnikov/533441|access-date=2020-11-03|website=RTVSLO.si|language=sl}}
On 21 August, another peaceful protest was held in Ljubljana. In speeches, protestors talked about the rise of authoritarianism in Slovenia.{{Cite web|title=This Week's Ljubljana Protest Focuses on National Bureau of Investigation|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6807-this-week-s-ljubljana-protest-focuses-on-national-bureau-of-investigation|access-date=2020-11-03|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}} A week later, protestors focused on environmental issues in front of the National Assembly and Ministry of Environment buildings.{{Cite web|title=Na sinočnjem protestu v Ljubljani 4000 ljudi, v ospredju okoljski problemi|url=https://siol.net/novice/slovenija/na-sinocnjem-protest-v-ljubljani-4000-ljudi-v-ospredju-okoljski-problemi-533035|access-date=2020-11-03|website=siol.net|language=sl}}
== September ==
On 4 September, peaceful protestors called for the resignation of the government and encouraged those encountering corruption at work to become whistleblowers.{{Cite web|title=Svet24.si - FOTO: 20. protivladni protest: tokrat so ga posvetili tudi "opogumljanju žvižgačev"|url=https://novice.svet24.si/clanek/novice/slovenija/5f528be73762c/foto-tudi-ta-petek-ni-minil-brez-protivladnih-protestov-v-pretolnici-protest-posvetili-opogumljanju-zvizgacev|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu|language=sl}}{{Cite web|title=Na protestu v Ljubljani okrog 4.000 udeležencev|url=https://siol.net/novice/slovenija/na-petkovem-protestnem-shodu-v-ljubljani-okrog-4-000-udelezencev-533559|access-date=2020-11-04|website=siol.net|language=sl}} One week later, a flame of protest was lit to symbolise the resistance. Speakers criticized opposition parties for moving towards Janšism, asking opposition leaders what they would do to change the government and promising that silence would be remembered.{{Cite web|title=Friday's Ljubljana Protest Calls on Individuals to Resist Govt|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/6949-friday-s-ljubljana-protest-calls-on-individuals-to-resist-govt|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}}
Protestors carrying torches surrounded the National Assembly Building on 18 September, chanting "we are the state" and "the streets are ours". Mounted police officers guarded the front and back entrances of the National Assembly Building.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-18|title=(FOTO in VIDEO) Protestniki v Ljubljani zahtevali odstop Hojsa in vlade, Janša jim sporoča: Ste 0,1 odstotka države|url=https://www.vecer.com/slovenija/in-video-protestniki-v-ljubljani-zahtevali-odstop-hojsa-in-vlade-skusali-tudi-obkoliti-parlament-10221784|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.vecer.com|language=sl-si}}
On 25 September, protestors focused on economic issues and tax reforms which would reduce taxes for the wealthy. A large sign reading "Ministry of the Rich" was placed on the entrance of the Ministry of Finance building, and protestors said that privileges for the rich had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Svet24.si - FOTO: Protestniki Galeta ne dajo, v ukrepih vlade vidijo privilegije za elito|url=https://novice.svet24.si/clanek/novice/slovenija/5f6e40f3c799b/foto-protestniki-galeta-ne-dajo-v-ukrepih-vidijo-privilegije-za-elito|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu|language=sl}}
== October ==
On 2 October, a protest took place in front of the Ministry of Health. Protesters called Slovenian public healthcare catastrophic and demanded reform, saying that the government had been privatizing healthcare and facilitating it for the elite.{{Cite web|title=V ospredju tokratnega petkovega protesta razmere v zdravstvu|url=https://www.dnevnik.si/1042940270|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Dnevnik}}
On 9 October, protestors gathered at Ljubljana's Prešeren Square. Police began identifying them, removing them for violating a decree limiting public gatherings. The police action was called repressive and disgraceful; activist Jaša Jenull said that the protestors were responsible, wearing face masks and socially distancing. Several organizations said that the police used excessive force, and demanded a public apology and explanation. General director of police Andrej Jurič denied the allegations, saying that the police simply maintained public order. Six people were arrested, but were later released without being charged.{{Cite web|title=Police Increase Action Against Ljubljana Protestors (Video)|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/7110-police-increase-action-against-ljubljana-protestors|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|title=STA: Tensions flare at Friday protest in Ljubljana|url=https://english.sta.si/2817514/tensions-flare-at-friday-protest-in-ljubljana|access-date=2020-11-04|website=english.sta.si}}{{Cite web|title=Policija na protestih v Ljubljani popisala več ljudi #foto #video|url=https://siol.net/novice/slovenija/policija-na-protestih-v-ljubljani-popisala-vec-ljudi-video-536258|access-date=2020-11-04|website=siol.net|language=sl}}{{Cite web|title=Na policiji zavračajo očitke o nasilju nad protestniki|url=https://siol.net/novice/slovenija/na-policiji-zavracajo-ocitke-o-nasilju-nad-protestn-536438|access-date=2020-11-04|website=siol.net|language=sl}} A week later, police presence was increased and the protests ended without incident.{{Cite web|title=Vsak dan prvi - 24ur.com|url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/protest.html|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.24ur.com}}
On 23 October, a handful of protestors (monitored by the police) gathered in spite of bans on travel and public gatherings; police identified 11 people. The Friday street protests were then cancelled due to a wave of COVID-19 infections, and an activist said that people should protest from their homes.{{Cite web|title=Svet24.si - Shod v središču Ljubljane, ugotavljali identitete 11 posameznikov|url=https://novice.svet24.si/clanek/novice/slovenija/5f93e5d8b4fb4/shod-v-srediscu-ljubljane-ugotavljali-identitete-11-posameznikov|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Svet24.si - Vsa resnica na enem mestu|language=sl}}{{Cite web|title=Organizatorji petkovih protestov: "Ne hodite na današnji protest!"|url=https://www.mladina.si/202582/organizatorji-petkovih-protestov-ne-hodite-na-danasnji-protest/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Mladina.si}}
== November ==
On 5 November, members of the Aware People of Slovenia ({{langx|sl|Osveščeni prebivalci Slovenije}}, or OPS) and Anonymous Slovenia groups organized a protest. OPS members believe that COVID-19 does not exist; Anonymous Slovenia distanced itself from OPS, its members wearing face masks. The Ljubljana police were reinforced by police from other cities and the national Specialna Enota Policije. OPS members gathered around 5:00 pm, soon attacking the police with torches, stones and explosives; police responded with tear gas and water cannons. At one point, protesters unsuccessfully tried to storm the National Assembly Building. At around 8:00 pm, police began to surround the protestors; Prešeren Square was cleared about 90 minutes later. Fifteen policeman were injured; two protestors were severely injured, and one journalist was injured. The people's assembly said that government attempted to us the riots to link violence to peaceful protestors, and the riots were staged by the government.{{Cite web|title=Spopad v Ljubljani: policija proti izgrednikom uporabila vodni top|url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/prvi-protestniki-ze-v-ljubljani-novi-protesti-pa-ze-popoldan.html|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.24ur.com|language=sl}}{{Cite web|date=2020-11-05|title=(FOTO in VIDEO) Pred parlamentom podivjano vzdušje, odrivanje, tudi nekaj pokov. Policisti obkolili območje|url=https://www.vecer.com/slovenija/pred-parlamentom-policijska-ograja-na-protest-prislo-6-clanov-gibanja-ops-petkovi-kolesarji-pa-so-se-distancirali-10226354|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.vecer.com|language=sl-si}}{{Cite web|title=Violence Between Protesters & Police in Ljubljana (Videos)|url=https://www.total-slovenia-news.com/politics/7264-violence-between-protesters-police-in-ljubljana-videos|access-date=2020-11-06|website=www.total-slovenia-news.com|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|title=STA: Police say use of force proportionate at Thursday's riot|url=https://english.sta.si/2828659/police-say-use-of-force-proportionate-at-thursdays-riot|access-date=2020-11-06|website=english.sta.si}}{{Cite web|title=Obsodbe se vrstijo, a vprašanje je, kdo je proteste sploh organiziral|url=https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/obsodbe-se-vrstijo-a-glavno-vprasanje-ostaja-kdo-je-proteste-organiziral/|access-date=2020-11-07|website=www.delo.si|language=sl-si}}
= 2021 protests =
On 27 April, thousands rallied in Ljubljana to protest against Janez Janša and his increasing authoritarianism and governmental corruption. According to organisers, around 20,000 rallied in the capital.{{cite web|title=Slovenian Protesters Rally Against 'Degradation of Democracy'|date=April 27, 2021|agency=Balkan Insight|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/04/27/slovenian-protesters-rally-against-degradation-of-democracy/}} Ten thousand people gathered in Prešeren Square (near the presidential palace) in a 28 May "All Slovenia Uprising" against Janša, demanding new elections.{{cite web|title=Slovenians Mobilise for Another Anti-Jansa Push, Demanding Elections|date=May 28, 2021|agency=Balkan Insight|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/28/slovenians-mobilise-for-another-anti-jansa-push-demanding-elections/}}
Protest groups
File:Protest_against_Janez_Janša_in_Ljubljana,_Slovenia_2021-05-28.jpeg
File:Protest_against_Janez_Janša_in_Ljubljana,_Slovenia_2021-05-28_18_51_45_522000.jpeg
Three groups protest against the government, although they do not collaborate and oppose each other: the Friday cyclist protestors, OPS (Aware People of Slovenia) and Anonymous Slovenia.
= {{anchor|Friday cyclist protestors}}Friday cycling protests =
The first Friday protest was organized on 27 April 2020 by the Facebook group "Resistance to Government of Slovenia". The peaceful cycling protestors are accompanied by protestors on foot. Protests were held every Friday between 27 April and 23 October 2020, when further protests were cancelled due to the second wave of COVID-19. Organizations participating in the protests included the Youth Activist Organization and Slovenian Antifa. On 17 July, the protestors created a "people's assembly"; by the end of the month, it made 245 demands, proposals and ideas to the government focusing on social, economic, and environmental issues. Theater director and activist Jaša Jenull was the most prominent speaker at the Friday protests. When Anonymous Slovenia announced that it would stage a protest with OPS, the Friday protestors urged people not to participate. Their symbol is a white bicycle sign on a red Triglav symbol.
= Anonymous Slovenia =
Anonymous Slovenia group is part of the international Anonymous group. They were first to call for protesters on 5 November 2020, and OPS later announced that they would join them; however, Anonymous Slovenia distanced itself from OPS. At the 5 November protest, they wore Guy Fawkes masks and shouted "thieves" at police in front of the National Assembly building. After the protest, an Anonymous Slovenia spokesperson tweeted: "As we unfortunately expected, certain individuals or groups effectively discredited our protests"; the group insisted that they called for a peaceful protest. After the Friday protestors urged people not to protest on 5 November, an Anonymous Slovenia spokesperson called them "traitors" on Twitter and said that they did not really want Janša out of office.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-06|title=Protesters Clash with Police at Rally in Slovenian Capital|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/06/protesters-clash-with-police-at-rally-in-slovenian-capital/|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}}
References
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Further reading
- Naša Last / Our Claim. Slovenska Protestna Fotografija 2020-2022 / Slovenian Protest Photography 2020-2022. Ljubljana 2024 ([https://mgml.si/en/jakopic-gallery/exhibitions/657/our-claim/ Exhibition] catalog)
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