Some 500 protesters - citizens and activists of the nongovernmental organisations Zelena Akcija and Pravo na Grad - who gathered outside the Social Democratic Party (SDP) headquarters in Zagreb on Friday, later in the day rallied outside the headquarters of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), holding both parties equally responsible for the "Varsavska Street case".
More than 150 activists, politicians, lawyers, journalists and citizens were arrested and held in custody on Thursday, 15 July, because of their participation in a peaceful protest against a controversial construction project in the historic centre of Zagreb.
The demonstrators outside the SDP building were addressed by party president Zoran Milanovic, the head of the Zagreb City Assembly, Boris Sprem, and the head of the SDP's Zagreb branch, Davor Bernardic.
The protesters booed the SDP leaders, stressing they were neither the ruling party in the city nor the opposition in the country. One of the protesters recalled Milanovic's statement that Milan Bandic was the best candidate for the mayor of Zagreb.
"If you resent something, you are right to resent it. I wish you well," Milanovic said briefly.
Tomislav Tomasevic, leader of Zelena Akcija (Green Action Zagreb) said the protesters demanded Mayor Bandic's resignation, holding him the most responsible for the chaos in Varsavska Street, but that he did not listen to them.
The activists then marched towards the HDZ headquarters.
Outside the HDZ headquarters, the protesters demanded the resignations of Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko over the 150 arrest.
Tomasevic also urged Urban Planning and Construction Minister Marina Matulovic-Dropulic to resign.
After the protests outside the SDP and the HDZ headquarters, the demonstrators headed towards Varsavska Street and blocked traffic in nearby streets.
