Mar 6
“Down with the dark forces of colonialism!”, Belgrade, Serbia, 1961. Photographed by Tomislav Peternek
After the murder of Patrice Lumumba in 1961, demonstrations were held in Serbia as a sign of protest, which turned into riots. As many as 150,000 demonstrators gathered on the streets of Belgrade and 25,000 in Subotica.
Demonstrators carried pictures of Lumumba and signs saying “Death to colonialism” and “Freedom for subjugated nations”. A group of protesters broke away and attacked the Belgian embassy, which they demolished and hung Lumumba’s picture on with the inscription: “Glory to the fighter for the freedom and peace of African people”, and set fire to all the embassy’s vehicles.
