### Protests Erupt in Belgrade Over Controversial $500 Million Trump Tower Project on Historic War Site - In Belgrade, Serbia, thousands of protesters have gathered to oppose a $500 million luxury hotel and residential complex proposed by Affinity Partners, a company led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The project is set to be built on the site of a military complex that was bombed during the 1999 NATO intervention in the Kosovo War, a location that many locals view as a symbol of national resistance and historical significance [https://www.newsweek.com/belgrade-protests-against-500m-trump-tower-project-on-war-site-11034341][https://zamin.uz/en/world/168798-thousands-of-people-protested-against-trumps-son-in-laws-construction-plan-in-serbia.html]. ### Overview of the Protests and Government Response 1. **Background of the Project**: The Serbian parliament recently passed legislation facilitating the development of the luxury compound, despite significant public opposition. Critics argue that the site should be preserved as a historical monument [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/serbian-parliament-supports-kushner-s-project-despite-opposition-ce7d5fdadf8ff32d]. 2. **Public Sentiment**: The protests, which took place on November 11, 2025, have divided public opinion in Serbia. Many citizens view the project as an affront to national memory and a commercialization of a site that holds deep historical significance [https://zamin.uz/en/world/168798-thousands-of-people-protested-against-trumps-son-in-laws-construction-plan-in-serbia.html][https://apnews.com/article/serbia-trump-protest-students-kushner-belgrade-nato-232a6650f9855dfe73a1ab404052bc6e]. 3. **Human Shield Tactics**: Protesters formed a human shield around the bombed-out military complex, symbolically vowing to protect it from redevelopment. This act of civil disobedience highlights the depth of feeling surrounding the issue [https://cnn.com/2025/11/11/europe/serbia-protest-kushner-real-estate-latam-intl][https://apnews.com/article/serbia-trump-protest-students-kushner-belgrade-nato-232a6650f9855dfe73a1ab404052bc6e]. 4. **Legal and Political Implications**: The decision to strip the site of its protected status is currently under investigation for potential document forgery, raising questions about the legality of the government's actions and the motivations behind them [https://apnews.com/article/serbia-trump-protest-students-kushner-belgrade-nato-232a6650f9855dfe73a1ab404052bc6e]. ### Key Data and Evidence Supporting the Claims - **Protest Participation**: Reports indicate that thousands of individuals participated in the protests, demonstrating widespread public dissent against the project [https://zamin.uz/en/world/168798-thousands-of-people-protested-against-trumps-son-in-laws-construction-plan-in-serbia.html]. - **Government Legislation**: The Serbian parliament's approval of the project was seen as a controversial move, with many citizens expressing outrage over the perceived prioritization of foreign investment over national heritage [https://www.marketscreener.com/news/serbian-parliament-supports-kushner-s-project-despite-opposition-ce7d5fdadf8ff32d]. - **Historical Significance**: The site in question is not only a remnant of military history but also a symbol of resistance against NATO's actions in the late 1990s, making its redevelopment particularly contentious [https://apnews.com/article/serbia-trump-protest-students-kushner-belgrade-nato-232a6650f9855dfe73a1ab404052bc6e]. ### Conclusion: The Future of the Trump Tower Project in Belgrade - **Public Resistance**: The ongoing protests indicate a strong public sentiment against the redevelopment of the military site, with many citizens committed to preserving its historical significance. The formation of a human shield around the site exemplifies the lengths to which protesters are willing to go to protect it [https://cnn.com/2025/11/11/europe/serbia-protest-kushner-real-estate-latam-intl]. - **Political Ramifications**: The controversy surrounding the project has implications for the Serbian government, particularly regarding its relationship with foreign investors and the handling of national heritage sites. The investigation into the legal status of the site could further complicate matters for the government and Kushner's investment plans [https://apnews.com/article/serbia-trump-protest-students-kushner-belgrade-nato-232a6650f9855dfe73a1ab404052bc6e]. - **Next Steps**: As protests continue and public sentiment remains strong, the future of the Trump Tower project in Belgrade hangs in the balance, with potential legal challenges and ongoing public opposition likely to shape its outcome [https://www.newsweek.com/belgrade-protests-against-500m-trump-tower-project-on-war-site-11034341].