Who Is Behind the Serbian National Congress?
The group calling itself the Serbian National Congress is inviting people to gather, yet we could not find basic information about the organization: where and when it was registered, who serves as its president, or who sits on its board of directors. It has no official website, publicly listed office address, or telephone number. Who runs the organization and who is responsible for its activities remain unclear.
Its Facebook and Instagram profiles identify Miloš Marinković, whom we have previously written about, as vice president. Our questions about its president, other leadership members, and stated objectives remain unanswered.
An Old Name, an Unclear Connection
A nonprofit organization named SERBIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS previously existed in Illinois. The registry entry we reviewed lists file number 58147605, its status as DISSOLVED, and the name GEORG NIKOLIC.
Whether the current group has any connection to that former organization or is simply using the same name remains unclear.
We asked those now acting on behalf of the Serbian National Congress to clarify that connection.
Gathering at a Restaurant Before Heading to the Polls
According to announcements on the group’s social media accounts, participants will gather at Zora restaurant, 8445 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, before heading to the polls together.
The invitation also offers a free drink to anyone who brings a T-shirt bearing the Serbian slogan “Studenti pobeđuju” – “Students Will Win.”
What else, if anything, is planned? Will participants leave after casting their ballots, or will they remain outside the consulate for a protest or blockade? Who will coordinate the gathering, and what will the organizers do if anyone provokes a confrontation or prevents other voters from casting their ballots?
Blocked on Instagram, Unanswered on Facebook
We could not find a publicly listed email address for the organization, so we submitted our questions through Facebook. Contacting the group on Instagram was not possible: it had blocked both Chicago na dlanu’s account and the account of its editor-in-chief, Milena Šović.
We sent the following message:
Dear Serbian National Congress representatives,
I am writing on behalf of Chicago na dlanu regarding your announced gathering and plans to go to the polls as a group. Please answer the following questions:
Who is organizing the gathering and coordinating the group’s arrival at the polling station?
Who is the president of the Serbian National Congress, and who serves on its board of directors?
Is the organization registered? If so, under what name and in which state or country?
Where can the public find information about the organization’s leadership, headquarters, and contact details? If this information is not publicly available, why has it not been published, and why does the organization have no official website?
What is the purpose of going to the polls as an organized group?
Do you believe that arriving together can prevent electoral fraud? What specific evidence gives you reason to believe that fraud might occur?
How would you respond to concerns that the group’s coordinated arrival could put pressure on consulate staff or other voters?
Apart from voting, are you planning a protest, a blockade of the consulate, or any other activities?
Will you accept the election results if the student-backed electoral slate does not win?
Who will coordinate the participants, and what steps will you take to prevent confrontations, disturbances, or interference with other citizens’ ability to vote?
Your responses will be published by Chicago na dlanu.
Milena Šović
Editor-in-Chief, Chicago na dlanu
No Response Before Publication
The Serbian National Congress had not responded by the time of publication. Chicago na dlanu will publish any responses it receives.
As a reminder, U.S. police may intervene inside the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia with the consent of the consul general or another authorized official. That consent is not required for police to act on the street or public sidewalk outside the consulate.
Photo: Printscreen
