In Warsaw, protesters gathered in silence outside the Presidential Palace, holding Polish flags, candles, memorial lanterns and torches.
Their signs opposed politicians breaking or encouraging others to break the law, intimidating judges and using violence against them.
“The Constitutional Tribunal is not the property of any political party, government or president. It is an institution of the Republic of Poland, established to protect the Constitution and the rights and freedoms of us all,” the protest organisers said.
In Gdańsk, northern Poland, several hundred people gathered outside Artus Court, carrying Polish and EU flags.
Ewa Topór-Nawarecka, head of the Pomeranian branch of KOD, said the demonstration was intended as a peaceful rejection of politicians who, in her words, continued to undermine the rule of law in the country.
Judge Dorota Zabłudowska-Szulc said the tribunal had effectively become a third chamber of parliament, approving unconstitutional actions by the political authorities.
She expressed hope that the symbolic assembly of Constitutional Tribunal judges would mark the final stage in restoring the rule of law in Poland.
In Poznań, western Poland, around 200 people gathered in Plac Wolności, according to police. They stood with flags, candles and torches as songs, including Czesław Niemen's “Dziwny jest ten świat,” played. The Polish national anthem was also sung.
(sp)
Source: PAP