No To The TLC, Riteve and Rising Prices
The protest march that had been highly anticipated didn't get the turn out support union organizers had expected. The thousands of that were supported paralyze the country, take to the streets and made their situation known to the country's leaders decided to let several hundreds do their bidding.

The protest march began on time, with starts at several key points in the San José area like in front of the ICE offices in La Sabana and gathered steam in front of the Parque Central in downtown San José, moving onto the Asemblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly) by noon time.

Only several hundreds were on hand, marching along Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda, in contrast to the wave of "yellow" - thousands of Insitituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) employees who traditionally wear their yellow shirts - of the past marches.

Union organizers say that the announcement over the weekend that gasoline prices would be dropping had an effect on the small turn out.

In many part of the country, the massive roadblocks that had been expected didn't materialize. Many made their way to work in San José earlier than normal, to be beat the roadblocks, with heavy traffic reported on the Autopista General Cañas, the main road into San José from the west, all the way from San Ramon as early as 5:30am.

In places like Naranjo, Guapiles, Cartago, Turrialba and Heredia, only a handful of protestors were on hand, waiting for others to join them, but it never occurred. Midday television reports showed only a handful of truckers and protestors on the side of the roads, waiting.

A crisis committee was grouped at Casa Presidencial, headed by first Vice President, Lineth Saborío, who said that the government was ready to handle the protestors. President's Pacheco's house in Rohrmoser was completely sealed off by UIP police officers and police mounted on horses, who patrolled the surrounding streets.

A group of farmers made it to the front of the Casa Presidencial however the heavy midday rain dispersed the crowd.

Union organizers say they were satisfied with the results of the turn out. Sergio Saborío, coordinator for the Frente Interno de Trabajadores del ICE, said it was pleased that workers took the time off to show their support, not only in San José but in all areas of the country.

The protest did affect some public services. ICE closed all it's offices, while in some hospitals and clinics, partial services were suspended. Schoold were open, but APSE union leaders claim that 80% of the teachers did not attend to the day's lessons.