Court staff, college students, civil society organizations, and the general public demonstrated with banners, flags, and even traditional music. The messages focused primarily on respect for the separation of powers and democracy. On the other hand, the constitutional justices claim that the budget cuts to the Judiciary pushed by the Executive Branch seek to weaken its operational capacity. “Democracy needs an independent judiciary,” reads another banner displayed at the protests in Liberia. “The separation of powers is what defines a democracy—that each branch has its own authority,” added Rocío Serrano, a resident of Sámara.