On Friday 24^th November at 7 pm, massive protests were held across Poland. People took to the streets in more than 100 cities and towns! Free Courts, Free Elections, Free Poland (Wolne Sądy, Wolne Wybory, Wolna Polska – 3xW) – this was the common slogan and theme for a host of protests in Poland and Europe, staged against unconstitutional laws on the National Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court. The biggest protest was held in Warsaw in front of the Presidential Palace.

“People across Poland have mobilized quickly and in great numbers. Those who so massively took part in protests in July now see that the situation is equally grave and have responded to our call again,” says Bogumił Kolmasiak from Akcja Demokracja. “I believe that together we can put a halt to the so-called reforms which will allow the politicians to influence courts and rig elections.”

Demonstrations in Poland are organized under the slogan 3xW: Free Courts, Free Elections, Free Poland. The current proposals are aimed to put the organization and approval of the elections under the supervision of the ruling party (Law and Justice).

Akcja Demokracja mobilized people over Poland and was publishing guidelines for those who wanted to help stage a local event. The organizers called for somber atmosphere and not bringing partisian and organizational flags and emblems. There were also couple of protests happening abroad (Copenhagen,  Zagreb) in front of Polish embassies to show solidarity with ones protesting in the country.

“Without free courts and free elections there is no free Poland. In Belarus, a country bordering Poland, the institutions had been taken over before the elections were rigged. Our place is with the democratic Europe, where politicians do not affect judicial decisions or conduct elections.” says Weronika Paszewska from Akcja Demokracja.

Numerous organizations urge the MPs to immediately cease the parliamentary procedure on the judiciary bills and undertake comprehensive public consultations on this subject.

“Without independent common courts of law, there is nothing to stop the politicians, even without the necessary majority, to restrict our civil rights and liberties as enshrined in the Constitution,” warn 28 social organizations in a statement issued at a special conference that took place on 21th November, when the mobilization was announced.