(VIDEO) There is interest from the public - Pljevlja will celebrate Independence Day

A celebration of Independence Day May 21, one of the two most important state holidays of Montenegro, will be organized in Pljevlja, regardless of the stance of the cleronationalist local authorities, led by the Mayor Dario Vraneš who stated that there is no interest.

That there is interest was confirmed to the ETV Portal by a group of citizens of Pljevlja, who told us that they have gathered around a shared idea of resisting the current local authorities, who are undermining the sovereignty of Montenegro by persistently implementing the project of the „SAO-ization of Pljevlja“.

- We expect all free citizens of our city to join us so that together we can send a message to the current authorities and to Vraneš that Pljevlja is Montenegro, that our city is built on the foundations of anti-fascism and the struggle for freedom, and that all attempts to rewrite history and borders are in vain - they said.

They expect that the ceremonial marking of the twentieth, jubilee anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence will also be supported by all civic parties, and that their members, regardless of the fact that the event is organized by a group of citizens, will stand with them on May 21.

The news that Pljevlja will celebrate Independence Day, despite opposition from Vraneš and the current authorities, spread across social media yesterday afternoon, accompanied by a song specially written and composed for the occasion by Ljubo Jovović.

The head of the Pljevlja municipality has continued with provocations for days, stating that „May 21 is not a day for celebration“, that it „is not a date that unites but divides citizens“, and that „Pljevlja is for a common state“.

Vraneš is a supporter of Chetnik ideology, in his office he keeps a miniature bust of Chetnik leader Dragoljub Draža Mihailović. He openly advocates the Serbian nationalist „Serbian World“ project, is close to the Serbian Orthodox Church, prone to misogynistic outbursts, and his rhetoric is very dangerous and hostile toward „non-Serbs“.

Nevertheless, a group of citizens has decided to „stand up to him“, as well as to other current holders of power in the city, and to show that Pljevlja is Montenegro and that no government can destroy the civic and anti-fascist spirit of the town.