Protest in Stip 18.04.2016

[DraganOfStip]

Today there are protests scheduled in Kumanovo and in my hometown of Stip.
i will attend the protest and hopefully provide some first-hand photos or video clips of the atmosphere.
It is set for 18:00 h local time in front of the Court building.
Will update you tonight.

[Risto the Great]

Please do.

[DraganOfStip]

Well,I managed to take a few shots but i don't know how to attach them on the forum (actually i found certain ways to do it but they all include using apps like Photobucket etc which is too much of a pain in the arse,if someone knows a better way pls PM me).

But there is a video from it on this webpage:

http://telma.com.mk/vesti/protestiram-i-gdom-so-sobiri-vo-shtip

From what I could see first-hand I can state the following.

Regarding the protest: too much SDSM interference.All the "normal" citizens that wanted to express their revolt couldn't stand out from the stench of SDSM members.You could smell those vultures in the air miles away.Known SDSM standouts since Branko's era poluted the event.A protest that will be labeled as a SDSM one because of their members in the front lines wearing anti-DPMNE transparents ahead of the revolted citizens of Stip that simply wanted to make a stand for themselves.Didn't like it one bit.
We took about a half hour stand in front of the Court building before the police directed us through the streets to avoid the counter-protesters that were coming our way from the City Hall.I'm just happy that there were no incidents,both between the 2 groups AND regarding vandalism.The protest ended in front of the City Hall and didn't last as long as it should.Not enough revolt expressed according to me.The people could have done better.Many bystanders simply walked away turning their heads,whether intimidated to join or simply didn't care.

Regarding the counter-protest: the entire municipality administration were called out to the streets.All the people that I saw (and from the video in the link) were party employees in the City Hall,Post Office,University of Goce Delcev,IRS etc.All state-runned jobs.It is sad to see how DPMNE (ab)uses these people to show support in their media.I looked at other clips from the protest on Sitel,Kanal 5 etc and the accent was put on the counter-protest only.The DPMNE propaganda section doing their job of censureship.Just a handful of seconds regarding the protest against Ivanov.Shameful and sad at the same time.

When it comes to numbers,I can say that both protests were even in number of participants.I really don't feel like participating in another protest with SDSM members standing by my side.

[Risto the Great]

How can anyone come out in support instead of protest? I'm astounded.

[Redsun]

What was the protest about, Ivanov's amnesty?

I don't understand, was this a protest against corruption which unfortunately turned into a political rally due to party representatives being present?

[DraganOfStip]

How can anyone come out in support instead of protest? I'm astounded.

Like I said,people are made into going out.All the counter-protesters were party-employed people in state institutions.They have to rally.Sad but true.In their minds they have no choice.

What was the protest about, Ivanov's amnesty?
I don't understand, was this a protest against corruption which unfortunately turned into a political rally due to party representatives being present?

You could say that,yes.It was supposed to be a rally against Ivanov's abolition but it turned into a party protest due to SDSM.They just can't miss a chance to score political points unfortunately.I knew many people without any party affiliation who attended,but couldn't stand out because of the SDSM.They held anti-DPMNE transparents,some of them depicting Grujo in jail.Not one transparent regarding Ivanov and his decision.It was a farce.

[DraganOfStip]

Like I said,people are made into going out.All the counter-protesters were party-employed people in state institutions.They have to rally.Sad but true.In their minds they have no choice.

Regarding the above,here is a great article with a great dose of truth, titled "A letter to the counter-protester".
Note: the article is in Macedonian.I tried to Google Translate it but that is such an useless tool,words lost their meaning and sentences didn't make any sence.My apologies for the non-Macedonian speakers here.

http://livada.mk/pismo-do-kontraprotestantot/

And this is how these people are "encouraged" to go and counter:

[vicsinad]

Dragan:

Good on you for participating. I would encourage you to continue doing what you think is the right thing to do. I hope you all can find a way to minimize the impact of the party loyalists. And I hope that it remains peaceful and you don't find yourself in any trouble. Be safe.

[Tomche Makedonche]

What Vic said

[Soldier of Macedon]

It was supposed to be a rally against Ivanov's abolition but it turned into a party protest due to SDSM.They just can't miss a chance to score political points unfortunately.I knew many people without any party affiliation who attended,but couldn't stand out because of the SDSM.

I think any protest rally against a political figure, even if neutral at the beginning, will inevitably lead to the opposing side supporting it. What should happen is a protest rally against both DPNE and SDS, which should be called "Macedonians for Macedonia", or something along those lines, and where a third way should be promoted to restore the dignity of the fatherland. That way it would discourage both DPNE and SDS supporters and it will give a better indication of just how many Macedonians are prepared to break the despicable cycle they currently find themselves in.

[DraganOfStip]

Dragan:

Good on you for participating. I would encourage you to continue doing what you think is the right thing to do. I hope you all can find a way to minimize the impact of the party loyalists. And I hope that it remains peaceful and you don't find yourself in any trouble. Be safe.

[Niko777]

From today's protest in Prilep.

[Tomche Makedonche]

From today's protest in Prilep.

SDS and DPNE: BEWARE! there are LIONS among the sheep

[Odi Zvezdo]

Guys, can I ask the locals if there's been any heavy breathing from the Albanians??? I just feel they are sitting very quiet at the moment..

Your thoughts???

[Bill77]

https://www.facebook.com/gledytv/videos/916630541767445/

Not sure who this bloke is..... But I assume he is pro VMRO
I like his passion, would make a good leader..... Or he could just be another wolf in sheets clothing.