Thousands protested against, what they call, the destruction of the seperation of power. The largest demonstration took place in Warsaw, in front of the of the Supreme Court, but concerns could be heard all around Poland.
To protect the courts
Demonstration against the changes in the Supreme Court took place in Warsaw on Wednesday evening. Among the gathered were politicians from the opposition as well as judges. Also present in front of the Supreme Court's building was the former President Lech Wałęsa.
"You should really listen to me and realise that the danger is real. If we surrender the courts, then they will come for more. That's why we must do all it takes and use all our energy to protect the judiciary," Wałęsa said. In his opinion, "this is a classic, street-solution situation. But we cannot solve it this way, because we have fought for democracy, for ballots. That's not the way we should deal with this situation," he added. Lech Wałęsa also said that "whoever violates the Constitution and the separation of powers, is a criminal. They are criminals". He added that "if they ruin our courts than it may lead to a civil war." He reassured: "I'm a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and I come in peace, I don't intend to shoot anyone, I don't wish to threaten anyone".
The protesters were chanting: "Free courts", "Lech Wałęsa" and "Free Poland". Some had white-and-red flags, others held blue-and-yellow EU ones. There were people with banners saying:"Constitution", "Free Courts", "Hands off the Supreme Court", "Support for the Supreme Court Judges", "There is Constitution. You must observe it". Some of the gathered shouted: "Judges are irremovable", "Constitution", "You violate the Constitution, we organize a revolution".
Jurists and opposition
Among the speakers who addressed the crowd was judge Igor Tuleya who said that protecting the independence of the courts is the "fundamental task". He also told the protesters, "you're the living proof that no one can take away free courts from the free people." He added that the judges are greatful to the protesters. "We should stand humbly next to you. Shame that we aren't. I hope it will change," said judge Tuleya.
"Anyone who can, should be here. If you can't, than you should be active online, be active in conversations with friends. If not this, you should give all your suppoer to those who fight for common good," said the spokesperson of Polish Judges Association "Iustitia", Bartłomiej Przymusiński. In his opinion, "what is (currently) happening, is drawing Poland out of the EU. If we don't stop this, we will exit the Union. This would be a great tragedy for all of us," he said.
Jacek Trela, the Chairman of Polish Bar Council stressed that "the involvement of regular people is essential, of people who don't deal with with politics on a daily basis. What is happening now is a danger to the foundations of a democratic, rule of law state. It puts the essence of judiciary indpendence in jeopardy," he said. In his opinion, recent law changes "violate the freedom of the courts and put the independence of judges into question."
Also present at the Wednesday's demonstration in front of the Supreme Court were opposition politicians. Among them were Marcin Święcicki, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska and Rafał Trzaskowski from Civic Platform, as well as Jerzy Meysztowicz from Modern Party. They all came to Krasiński Square to voice their protest against the changes in the Supreme Court.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24, Reuters, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24