"A Day For The Motherland"
Those opposed to the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - will be out on the streets of Costa Rica today to force the country's legislators to vote against the trade deal. The major concentration wil be in San José, where tens of thousands are expected to take part, marching through downtown San José and ending up at the doors steps of the Legislative Assembly.

Everyone expects the march to be peaceful. However, security measures at the Assembly building have been increased, both inside and outside, as windows have been outfitted to resist rocks breaking glass and the additional security personnel added inside.

On the streets, the Fuerza Pública, although unarmed, will be out in full force as well as the Policía de Tránsito (Traffic Police) will detour traffic from Paseo Colón and the downtown area and ensure that all routes around the country will be free to transit.

The government has made it clear that the protestors have their rights, so does the rest of the country. Radio and television ads reminded all protestors that every citizen has the right to get to work while they exercise their right to protest.

Although early this morning a small group has already gathered outside the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) main building in La Sabana, the majority of the protestors are expected to gather in front of the León Cortéz statue at the east end of the Parque La Sabana.

The gathering is expected to take force around 11:00am when the protest march will then move along Paseo Colón, then unto Avenida Segunda and up the steps of the Plaza de la Democracia and convene in front of the Legislative Assembly building. A similar group is expected to gather in the east end near the Rotonda La Hispanidad, in front of San Pedro Mall, move along Avenida Central and meet up with the west side group.

Henry Vega of rthe Frente Nacional de Apoyo a la Lucha Contra el TLC said that between 50.000 and 100.000 are expected to descend on San José. "The purpose of the march is to insist that Don Oscar withdraw the TLC from the Assembly and to begin a national dialogue to define an agenda for its development", said Vega.

Union leaders are promising a peaceful march that will include, along with public sector workers, anyone who is opposed to the trade deal, including prominent political figures, sports personalities, deputies and leaders of PAC party, as well as some of the Liberación Nacional, religious leaders, academics, students, and former president of public institutions, for example.

The march is being called "Un día por la Patria" - a day for the motherland.

A lot of confusion reigns over what will be open and what services will be affected. Many heads of public institutions say that their doors will be open and though service may be affected, they will be functioning. One institution that has said it will not be open is the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), which operates the national hospital and clinics, which will only attend to medical emergencies.

Other institutions that will have their services affected, totally or partially, are the Municipalidad de San José, AyA, Correos de Costa Rica, MOPT (licensing department), ICE, Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, INS, among others.

The Ministerio de Educacion Pública (MEP) says that schools will be open and parents should send their children. However, teachers have vowed to join the protest, making it unclear if there will be teachers in the classrooms.

The government has made it clear that all public employees who do not show up for work today will have their pay docked.