As promised by members of the different labor unions, thousands of people from all areas of the country took La Sabana, Paseo Colon and other streets in San Jose starting at 9 a.m., the movement will extend today for as long as the weather permits.

Since early hours this Wednesday, September 12, buses helped transport protesters from far away regions and they gathered at La Sabana, from this meeting point they began walking towards the Legislative Assembly, holding banners, flags, etc. Traffic police closed Paseo Colon to allow the march of protesters and with the purpose of avoiding accidents and redirecting traffic through alternative roads.

President Carlos Alvarado stated “The Costa Rican Government is respectful of the constitutional right to demonstrations, however, I am clear in pointing out that under any circumstance we will allow acts of violence that risk the lives and security of Costa Ricans”.

Late Tuesday evening and early this Wednesday acts of vandalism took place in Limon where a group of protesters set fire to tires and trash cans as well as a trailer truck in Moin.

The other area where traffic has been affected is Alto de Ochomogo in Cartago, this mostly obeys to the system organized by the state refinery that is only loading fuel to tankers in this location to prevent other locations of being targeted by protesters. The long lines of tankers are causing traffic jams in this area.

Protesters hope to speak to some of the members of Congress and that today’s movement will pressure the Government into a negotiation.