Citizens take to the streets today, Saturday the 16th, to defend democracy battered by Congress and the government, in a new escalation of mobilizations aimed at countering authoritarian attacks such as the recent attack against the National Board of Justice ( JNJ) to stop. a key unit in the justice system promoted by the legislative branch with the support of the executive branch.
In Lima, a citizens’ rally was called for 4 p.m. in the Campo de Marte in the Lima district Jesus Mary and then march through Salaverry, Javier Prado and Arequipa avenues and finally stage a sit-in in front of the Palace of Justice.
There are also marches and sit-ins in front of justice buildings in other cities.
The mobilization is organized by the Platform for Democracy, which includes more than 60 civil groups, including the National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH), the National Unified Coordinator of Struggle (CNUL), the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP) and Unitary Central of the Workers of Peru (CUT), National Agrarian Confederation of Peru (CNA), Peasants’ Confederation of Peru (CCP), National Association of Centers (ANC), Episcopal Commission for Social Action (CEAS), National Evangelical Council (CONEP), among others.
Some political organizations have also joined, such as the Purple party Nuevo Perú and Ahora Nación, the latter two still unregistered.
The rector of the National University of Engineering (UNI), Alfonso López Chau, who has expressed his intention to join the military in Ahora Nación, also supports this mobilization.
In addition, various personalities have announced their participation in the march, including the journalist Rosa Maria Palacios; former congressman and former minister Gino Costa; the former Prime Minister and former Congress President Mirtha Vásquez.
Citizen voices
“We are marching because we are faced with an alliance between the majority of the Congress of the Republic and the government of Dina Boluarte that seeks impunity and they do not mind degrading democratic institutions and dismantling what little we have through reforms “Good education, for example, or the right to comprehensive sex education,” says Germán Vargas, managing director of the National Evangelical Council.
The organizers assure that this mobilization will be followed by many more until the citizens’ demands are heard by the authorities.
The population is reacting to the authoritarian advance.
Reactions
Jennie Dador, CNDDHH, Executive Director
“It’s a march for democracy against impunity, because if they take over the JNJ, the trials for the massacres will remain under their control and there will be no progress in the fight against corruption.”
Gustavo Minaya, CGTP Undersecretary General
“We must restore democracy to achieve justice. Congressional representation has taken excessive action. We call for continued mobilization to restore justice.”
Augusto Álvarez Rodrich, political analyst
“Democracy has problems and its foundations are being destroyed. One of them is obvious and grotesque: Congress is probably trying to remove JNJ members from lobbying.”
Rosa María Palacios, journalist
“I will accompany the mobilization. The main reason I will take part in the Citizens’ March is that there is a real and immediate threat to the separation of powers and therefore to democracy.”
Alfonso López Chau, Rector of the UNI
“It is an electoral tyranny. Of apparent formality but with dictatorial substance… I hope that there will be a strong mobilization for democracy. Maybe it’s a good thing that the presidential candidates are able to concentrate.”
Gino Costa, former congressman
“We are marching to avoid a parliamentary dictatorship. The Congress It already has a President, a TC, a Nation Attorney, a Defense Attorney and the appropriate Sunedu. “If you liquidate the JNJ, you will have judges and prosecutors.”
