Romanians gathered together to protest in the streets of Bucharest, Romania on Sunday, February 5, 2017 to defend their civil rights and to eliminate their city’s corruption. According to USA Today, protesters turned on their cellphone lights and protested in front of their government headquarters and insisted on capturing the attention of their country’s parliament. Due to “27 years of corruptions”, thousands of Romanians have taken a stand to march through towns and cities to protest for approximately six days.

Social democratic Party Leader and appointed Prime Minister of Romania, Liviu Dragnea is currently facing indictment for “defrauding” Romania. Dragnea is also “under investigation over abuse of power allegations” and was suspended for two years for “an election offense”. On January 31, 2017, Romania ordered to “decriminalize abuse in office by officials”.

On January 31, 2017, Romania ordered to “decriminalize abuse in office by officials”. “Without any input from the parliament”, the order would have ceased all “investigations for pending corruption offenses and would have liberated “officials imprisoned for corruption”, as well as, bringing any further investigations and offenses to justice. Romanians are tired of the deception of their country and hope this order would put an end to “future abuses”. “This government is organized from the high level to the low like a mafia and we don’t want “honest people in all public institutions”. In fact, they

In fact, they don’t trust in their government’s word, when it comes to promises of change. Romanians have been forced “to bribe” teachers, school directors, and civil servants “to do their jobs”. Aside from corruption, children are being “traumatized by frustrated teachers”, who “physically punish kids to discipline them”. In order to receive medical attention, Romanians must “pay bribes for a consultation”.

“I am tired of the way the Social Democrats treat the Romanian people”. Time Magazine reports that this protest has been the “biggest, since the fall of Communism in 1989”. In the last five years, Romania has lost its people, due to emigration. Because of “lack of jobs, low quality education, low wages, and a crumbling healthcare system”, many Romanians have no other option, but to “flee abroad” to find jobs in Europe, such as “fruit pickers, cleaners, service personnel, etc.” Often these are jobs that “nobody wants”. Therefore, their discouragement has prevented them from voting, which has

Therefore, their discouragement has prevented them from voting, which has also caused the victory of the Social Democrats. Not only is Romania considered to be “one of Europe’s protest and most corrupt cities”, but live “in stress daily”. “Corruption is something that we, Romanians got used to”. Some Romanians are coerced to stay and suffer their country’s abuse. While others, retaliate by emigrating to other European countries and cities. Some have even found themselves much more content living outside of Romania.

Businessman Cosmin, Alexandru told CNN, “The only reasonable outcome for me is the government residing and either put a better government in place or call an election”. Originally, the executive order requested by Dragnea would have been “in effect about a week” and would have “decriminalized corruption that causes damage worth less than about 200,000 Romanian lei, or $48,000”. However, the Romanian Parliament are considering the passing of the bill and if approved, would free “corrupted officials”, who are being “imprisoned for corruption offenses”. This would not only grant them the authority and power to continue in deceiving their people, but, would allow more abuse for children, as well. Aside from Bucharest, Romanians from other European cities, including “London”, have joined the protest “outside the Romanian Cultural Institute”.

According to CNN, local television stations reported that protests across Romania attracted 500,000 to 600,000 people. However, “protests have been peaceful, even festive”. In fact, “parents brought young children and large pets” to join Romania in “waving flags, blowing horns, and carrying giant puppets of politicians”. While “dressed as convicts”, they screamed, “You thieves”, and “Resign”.

“We want all people to be equal before the law, and no privileges for the people in Parliament”, stated retired engineer, Profira Popo. This has been “a fight for hope” for many Romanians”. From this “pro-government demonstration”, they are determined to make change for all of Romania. “We will develop and post a regulatory act. Before we move further, all experts and whoever wants to, will have the opportunity to express a point of view”.