Workers, students, farmers, and various civil society groups are demanding that the measure be declared unconstitutional and are holding a sit-in outside the courthouse.

The president of the United Workers’ Front, Edwin Bedoya, reiterated that the first drive will take place on September 11 following the hearings on the Public Integrity Bill and the controversial Intelligence and National Solidarity rules.

According to Bedoya, the FUT and various public sector organizations, students, farmers, and the indigenous movement will join in the protests, “even more so in a context where we have seen state resources used to persecute organizations that defend human rights.”

The Public Integrity Law, approved in June by the National Assembly, has been challenged by more than 20 organizations and citizens.

Currently, the judicial body is hearing opinions from plaintiffs, as well as representatives of the Executive and Legislative branches who are defending the measure.

Originally conceived as a reform to public procurement, the legislation ended up incorporating changes in criminal, labor, judicial, financial, and child and adolescent matters, sparking unrest among unions and social sectors.

jdt/ro/avr