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Protestors Say TLC Will Not Pass
They took to the streets and the
message was clear "the trade
agreement with the United States
will not be approved" as
thousands marched on the streets
of downtown San José as part of
the May 1 celebrations.
Thousands took part in the
demonstration that included
students and union leaders that
filled Avenida Segunda and
slowly making their way to the
Legislative Assembly, where
President Abel Pachecho and the
group of new legislators
gathered inside.
The estimated 5.000 who heeded
the call of their unions was far
short of the 20.000 organizers
had expected.
Sergio Saborío, coordinador of
the Frente Interno de
Trabajadores del ICE blamed the
low turnout to the "long
weekend" as many decided to take
advantage of the Monday holiday.
"It was worth, the protest was a
total success", said Saborío.
For his part, Albino Vargas,
secretary general of the strong
ANEP union assured that the
protest exceeded expectations
since protests on May 1 are
rare, not like the force of last
November 17, 2005, said the
public teachers union leader.
The protest began as expected at
10:30am in front of La Merced
park in San José and with music
and dancing moved along Avenida
Segunda, ending at the Parque
Nacional north of the
Legislative Assembly building.
A similar protest is being
planned for May 8 as the
Asociación de Profesores de
Segunda Enseñanza, the
Magisterio en Acción,
Coordinadora Nacional de Lucha
contra el TLC and the
Coordinadora Estudiantil
Interuniversitaria prepare to
leave the La Merced park at 10am
and make their way to the Sabana
park to demonstrate in front of
the thousands who will be
gathered for the "traspaso de
poderes" - transfer of powers -
as president-elect Oscar Arias
takes the presidential reigns
from Abel Pacheco at noon.
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