September 15 that marks Independence Day in El Salvador of Central American nations from Spanish rule in 1821, but aside from government activities to mark the date, the organizations said they will march to demand the release of at least 60 political prisoners.

These groups, which include human rights activists, environmentalists, unionists, indigenous peoples, health workers, and religious groups, called to demand the release of people detained for “thinking differently” and for denouncing alleged atrocities by the current government.

Rafael Narvaez, of the Popular Resistance and Rebellion Bloc, called on citizens at a press briefing to protest to “demand the release of all political prisoners and an end to the persecution of our fellow environmental leaders in Santa Marta.”

They stated that among those detained are lawyer Ruth Lopez, who has already spent 107 days in prison; jurist Enrique Anaya, captured in early June; and environmentalist Alejandro Henriquez, captured in mid-May.

Other groups noted that the state of emergency “has turned prisons into a business,” due to the high sums that family members must pay to deliver supplies to those arrested.

On Tuesday, the non-governmental organization Cristosal released a document that exposes testimonies related to three cases of alleged illegal charges or extortion of relatives of prisoners to visit their families, provide them with medical care, or medication.

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