TLC Protest March Today
A group of protestors will leave the Rotonda de la Espanidad (front of Mall San Pedro), while another group will gather in front of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) building in the Sabana and will join forces in downtown San José in the first day of protest against the ratification of the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - since the document was sent to the Legislature.

The two groups are expected to meet at the Parque Central and then move onto the Legislative Assembly building, unified, only a few blocks away.


Paseo Colón, Avenida Segunda, from the Parque Mercedes to San Pedro Mall are expected to be filled with protesters as the Policia de Tránsito put into effect their plan to detour traffic from the downtown core.

Some 10.000 are expected to participate in the protest in San José that will include teachers, students, farmers, businessmen, housewives, politicians and government workers, especially the "yellow wave"- ICE workers as they are often referred to because duing protests they don their yellow clothing to symbolize unity.

The Fuerza Pública (police) will be in full force with police officers stationed in all areas, including using the mounted police unit. Guarding embassies and president Pacheco's house will also be a priority for the police.

The protest aims to paralyze the country, shutting down many government services, like the registro nacional (registry office), immigration and schools. The protest main force will be in San José, though protests in other towns are also being planned for those who cannot make it o San José.

The protest is expected to be peaceful. President Pacheco has asked protestors to keep the peace and respect the opinion of those in favour of the TLC.

Today is a good day to avoid going downtown unless you must.