Belgrade, Serbia - Thousands of people in Serbia have been marked for six months in six months since the tragedy of the train station in the north of the country killed 16 people and sparked a wave of anti-corruption protests that have brought populist President Aleksandar Vucic to strictly seize power.

Workers unions joined college students in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, demanding changes in labor and strike laws as part of Labor Day protests. In the northern city of Novi Sad, residents left flowers and lit candles outside the central station, and on November 1, people standing or sitting below crashed.

Many in Serbia accuse allegedly of rampant government corruption, exacerbating negligence and disrespect for the tragedy. The concrete canopy of the building's exterior walls was renovated twice before the disaster, as part of a major infrastructure agreement with China State.

Almost daily protests have evolved into a national campaign since the crash, demanding change.

Thousands of people marched on Thursday at Novi Sad, following a memorial silence for victims near the station. College students were the key force behind the anti-plant movement, creating a stone monument that reads: “Novi Thad remembers.”

"Today, we announced the railway station building at the memorial site," one student told the crowd. "This will remind you what happens when corruption takes over the country."

In Belgrade, Union flags mixed with student banners outside the downtown Serbian government building, and thousands of people played the party from various parts of the city.

"Corruption kills!" said a student who did not name it. “That’s why there must be a fight against corruption not only in (students) lockdowns, but also in the workplace.”

Meanwhile, President Vucic's populist supporters enjoyed Mayday barbecue, drinks and folk music in a pro-government camp outside the parliament building and an adjacent park at the President's Palace. The Guard Training Camp, which was set up a few weeks ago, also held a masked parameter fighter, apparently to protect Vucic.

Vucic accused the Rebel protesters of carrying out a "color revolution" under Western instructions to expel his power and "destroy" Serbia. He organized parallel rallies to counter nearly daily street demonstrations that attracted thousands of people to the country’s largest anti-government rally ever.

Populist leaders in Serbia face allegations of stifling democracy and freedom, including pressure to protest students. In the latest incident with Novi Sad on Monday, police officers used batons and pepper spray while pushing protesters open the physical education teacher building. Several people were injured.

Serbia formally seeks EU membership, but the process of joining has stalled recently due to Vucic's growing authoritarianism.