An alliance of civic groups has vowed to continue with candlelit vigils protesting the president's impeachment, despite a police announcement warning that such rallies would be 'sternly' dealt with.

The alliance, comprised of some five-hundred-50 civic groups, plans to organize massive anti-impeachment rallies in 40 locations nationwide and on the Internet, which the group hopes will attract the participation of one million people.

Earlier on Tuesday, alliance members said they would seek to hold the gatherings as "cultural events." The police, however, said such massive protests could not be considered a cultural event. Under current laws regarding assembly and demonstration, outdoor protests, except for cultural events, are banned after dark for fear of the risk of accidents.