Protest Against the TLC
More than 250 union organizers met yesterday at the Teatro Melico Salazar with a purpose to reaffirm their commitment to the fight against the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - Free Trade Agreement - with the United States.

The meeting ended with a common understanding on the actions that will be taken against the government and the Legislative Assembly, "the enemy of the poor and friends of the rich!"

The group said it will be go on indefinite strike if the TLC is sent to congress. Albino Vargas, Secretario de la Asociación Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Privados (ANEP) was quoted as saying "if we don't do it (the strike) they will never listen to the voice of the people."

Vargas admitted that a general strike to paralyze the country is extreme, but added that they, the union leaders, will give notice of their strikes, like the one that will be staged on May 16 in honour of the farmers and the May 1, el Día del Trabajador (Labour day).

Outside the Melico Salazar, hundreds decided to voice their opinion with the message "No al TLC, No al poderío gringo" - No to the free trade agreement, no to the gringo power.

Aveniga Segunda was complete blocked off to vehicular traffic east of the Banco de Costa Rica, an in front of the Parque Central, many sat on the roadway while different speakers spoke about their opposition to the trade agreement.

Members of the Fuerza Publica were on hand to ensure a peaceful demonstration and Transit officials rerouted traffic. About 4:30 pm, the demonstrators decided to walk down the Avenida Segunda to the Plaza de la Democracia and the Legislative Assembly, where the presented legislators with a signed document of their intended action if the government moves ahead with the TLC.



.