The Lull Before the Storm

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it`s the only thing that ever has.. - Margaret Mead

In this lull before the storm (whatever happens tomorrow), we need to take some time to recapitulate. What follows are the lyrics of the song of the young Bosnian and Sarajevan democracy. Use any music you want, according to your personal preferences.

In less than 60 days, the citizens of Sarajevo managed to save face with their modest protests and to look eye to eye with all problems of society that has accumulated over the years and resulted in youth delinquent crime characterized by its You have nothing against me attitude;

Citizens of Sarajevo raised their voice against irresponsible indolence and arrogance of most public institutions, forcing them to clean house and communicate with the public;

Citizens of Sarajevo addressed the leading offices in the Canton and City of Sarajevo with concrete demands to eliminate the causes of rising crime rates in Sarajevo and brought up the issue of responsibility and removal of holders of highest offices;

A small group of people that carried it out through personal investments of hundreds of hours of socially responsible work, managed to eliminate claims that it had political or foreign backing. It maintained its neutral position at all cost, representing along the way the interests of citizens of Sarajevo;

That small group lost the label of `angry mob` that one public official put on it for its dignified and persistently democratic manner in which they presented legitimate demands for improved living conditions after the death of an innocent boy;

A small group of enthusiasts proved that they were not violent and lawless; rather, they have full trust in the constitutional order and democratically elected government � all demands, including the resignations, were sent through the institutions, through legally prescribed communication channel.

Not a single member of that group showed some ambition to take the chair of those whose removal is demanded; to the contrary, they invite the democratically elected parties to appoint more capable and responsible officials.

That has secured the initiative and its demands huge, immeasurable support of thousands of citizens who joined the protests through petitions, participation in peaceful demonstrations and other programmes and activities.

For the first time after the war, the citizens have proof about neglected public duties and functions that have led us where we are:

- public offices took out and cleaned the dust from expensive strategies, actions plans, re-established teams and headquarters;
- public services were forced to organize themselves and start doing the job for which they are paid and quote often, overpaid or redundant;
- the public offices were not prepared to determine personal responsibility, continuing with communist terminology that all are at fault, for individual access to the Budget of the Canton of Sarajevo;
- it is evident that highest ranked officials are not prepared to face the citizens and voters, but feel accountable to the political parties that put them on election lists;
- it is evident that for our elected officials the policy of non-confrontation between internal interest and lobby groups overrules public interests and responsibility;
- it is evident that political parties that back those individuals don`t want to take side of the citizens, but secretly support their exponents, forcing `their` people in heightened moral crisis. It is logical that they would try to seek redemption through imposition of religion in all areas of public life.

We proved that we have a Mayor with good fighting spirits, but is not yet prepared to name names of those in power who have led Sarajevo to a situation in which murder of Denis Mrnjavac and setting an old lady to fire is possible. Her statements still protect her political allies.

We proved that the Cantonal Prime Minister is a typical public official without conscience appointed by ruling parties. His refusal to engage in public dialogue and his attitudes will always remain a dark stain on public life in modern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Citizens and young colleagues of late Mrnjavac got modest promises by the Mayor, who has no real competences, that the City will dedicate a graffiti wall dedicated to Mrnjavac, to commemorate the location of his death.