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Protests Mar
Independence Day Celebrations
The Independence Day
celebrations to mark Costa
Rica's 185th anniversary of its
independence from Spain was
marred by protests and
confrontation with police,
marring the traditional day of
peace, music and parades.
On several occasions the Unidad
de Intervención Policial (UIP),
the special tactical unit of the
Fuerza Pública, had to intervene
to calm down crowds in several
points of San José.
One of the hardest confrontation
came in front of the Ministerio
de Hacienda (across from the
Teatro Nacional) on Avenida
Segunda, when a group of
students, came to fist fights,
insults, kicks and all in front
of hundreds of children who were
standing along side of the road
to enjoy the parades.
witnesses criticized the police,
saying that was no control of
the protestors given the large
police presence, marring the
Independence Day celebrations,
from a day of admiration to a
boxing ring.
Authorities say that the
disturbances were mainly due to
the consumption of alcohol.
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