Thousands march against violence in Serbia after two mass shootings

Thousands have rallied in the Serbian capital Belgrade, with the protesters calling for the resignation of top officials and the curtailing of violence in the media, after back-to-back shootings stunned the Balkan country.

The "Serbia against violence" demonstration saw members from across the country's political divide come together on Monday after last week's shootings — where 17 people were killed in less than 48 hours, including nine at an elementary school in Belgrade.

"We demand an immediate stop to further promotion of violence in the media and public space, as well as responsibility for the long-standing inadequate response from competent authorities," the leftist Let's Not Let Belgrade Drown party said in a statement.

More than ten thousand demonstrators gathered in front of the country's parliament before taking to the streets to rally near Serbia's government offices.

"We are here because we can't wait any longer. We've waited too long, we've been silent too long, we've turned our heads too long," Marina Vidojevic, an elementary school teacher, told the crowd.

"We want safe schools, streets, villages and cities for all children."