More than a thousand people joined a protest organized by the Conservative Action Party on Thursday evening, marching from University Square to Victoria Square toward the government's offices.

Demonstrators began gathering after 5 p.m. at the esplanade with statues in University Square. Leading the march is George Simion, Chairman of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), who carries a large white banner reading 'Let Eminescu Judge Us'.

'This is a holy place where blood was shed for the freedom of Romanians. We protest against censorship, against those who try to reinstate dictatorship and steal our rights, against those who annulled elections and trample on the opposition represented by the Romanian people. No anti-Semitic manifestation should be tolerated, and any AUR member engaging in such activities will be expelled. But no anti-Romanian manifestation should be tolerated either,' Simion told the crowd in University Square.

He urged the Federation of Jewish Communities and other minorities 'to distance themselves from the gesture made by Silviu Vexler, who tore photos of Romanian writers, and to side with the Romanian people and Romania.'

'We respect them, but they must respect us too. I demand respect for democracy in Romania and the return to the second round of election. I demand respect for Romanian farmers and for all the proprietors in this country. I demand an end to the taxes and dues that bring our people to their knees every day, and this will be our joint demand, brothers and sisters. To the government, this evening!,' Simion called on the crowd.

The AUR leader thanked the representatives of the Conservative Action Party, noting that as two demonstrations were organized in Bucharest on Thursday, they joined the protest against the Vexler Law. Another protest 'against the government's burdensome fiscal policies' is taking place on Thursday evening in Victoria Square.

The participants, carrying tricolor flags and placards reading 'Stop Vexler', chant 'Freedom', 'Resignation', 'National Freedom', 'Calin Georgescu, President!', 'Down with censorship', 'Down with dictatorship', 'We are all dying/Let's get rid of thieves'.

The Vexler Law strengthens Romania's anti-extremism framework, banning fascist, racist, xenophobic and extremist organizations and symbols, and introducing tougher sanctions for incitement to hatred, racism, anti-Semitism and denial of totalitarian crimes. It supplements OUG 31/2002 with clearer prohibitions and penalties adapted to current realities. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)