Previous | Next 

An act of courage

Dan and Evanna Hess

For years, Lazar Lalich has been quietly practising resistance to the Yugoslav government of Slobodan Milosevic. Lalich’s means are news analyses and documentary films that speak out against the corrupt Milosevic regime. Lalich has also resisted more visibly, participating in street demonstrations that at times were ruthlessly suppressed by police. His wife and daughter have witnessed police beating him. Lalich is the uncle of Marijana Ajzenkol, founder and director of the Inter-religious Centre in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Mennonite Central Committee supports the Centre.


When the demonstrations of October 5, 2000 erupted and led to the downfall of the Milosevic government, Lalich was in the crowd. His apartment is only a few blocks from the parliament building where the major drama unfolded.

As the tide of the demonstration ebbed and flowed that day, the role of the police shifted: They went from being the attackers to being attacked by demonstrators. When Lalich saw this, he took action. He knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of such street violence. His goal was to spare as many people as possible. In a daring move, he shepherded a group of 15 uniformed policemen down the street to the safety of his apartment.

His act did not go unnoticed by other demonstrators. Ten years of repression under Milosevic left many people wanting to exact revenge. A crowd confronted Lalich at his front door, demanding he let them get at the policemen so that they could beat and perhaps kill the uniformed representatives of the Milosevic regime.

Lalich stood firm. “I have been beaten myself,” he said, “and I will not permit any more beating.” With the help of his family and a few friends, Lalich was able to prevent the crowd from entering his apartment. After the crowd dispersed, the policemen shed their uniforms. Wearing clothes that Lalich lent them, they returned to their homes.

The world gives a lot of attention to incidents of violence and revenge. Acts such as those of Lazar Lalich often go unnoticed and usually do not find their way to the world’s television screens. Yet these acts speak of what is right, standing on a principle and offering hope for the future.

Dan and Evanna Hess of Lancaster, Pa. recently completed an assignment with MCC, having served in Russia, Albania and Serbia. This article was distributed as an MCC news release.

Previous | Next 

Last modified December 6, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.