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Tens of thousands gather in Zagreb over Lika waste crisis as protesters demand action - by croatiaweek - in News ZAGREB, 5 September 2026 (Croatia Week) – Tens of thousands of people gathered in central Zagreb on Saturday for a major public protest over the illegal dumping of waste in Gospić and wider concerns about environmental protection in Croatia. The protest, titled “Hodaj za Liku, hodaj za Hrvatsku” (Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia), was organised by the civic initiative “Gospić je naš dom” (Gospić Is Our Home). Participants gathered at Trg kralja Tomislava before forming a procession towards Ban Josip Jelačić Square, where the main programme began at noon. Demonstrators carried Croatian flags and banners calling for the removal of the waste and faster action from state institutions. The organisers stressed that the protest was a civic initiative, rather than a political event, and said politicians would not speak from the main stage. Speakers included representatives of environmental and civic groups from several parts of Croatia, highlighting waste and environmental concerns beyond Gospić. Thousands of people were on the main square, chanting “Gospić, Gospić!” as the organisers delivered speeches. “The emotions are immense, because we have to stand here,” said organizer Vladimir Šulentić, listing all the problems that brought people together for the protest. At the centre of the protest is the waste site in Gospić, where around 33,000 tonnes of waste is reported to have been buried. A broader assessment by Croatia’s Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has put the total amount of waste at the location at almost 45,000 tonnes, when waste in silos and bags is also included. The initiative has presented the Government with a series of demands and specific deadlines. It wants the Government to present a complete remediation programme within 20 days, including binding deadlines, and to remove the 33,000 tonnes of buried waste within three months. The organisers are also calling for the Rakitovac municipal landfill to be included in Croatia’s waste management plan, together with long-term environmental monitoring carried out with the involvement of independent experts and an independent assessment of environmental risks. At national level, the initiative is seeking stronger legal protection for communities affected by environmental problems, the inclusion of known environmental “black spots” in the national waste management plan with clear deadlines and financial frameworks, and a temporary suspension of waste imports until further notice. The Zagreb gathering attracted support from trade unions, environmental organisations and civic groups from across Croatia. Organisers had arranged transport from Lika, with eight buses travelling to Zagreb, while additional participants arrived independently. The protest has brought the Gospić waste case beyond the local level, placing broader questions about waste management, environmental monitoring and institutional responsibility in Croatia firmly in the national spotlight.