‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement reaches Costa Rica

Some 300 people marched in the streets of San José on Saturday as part of a worldwide movement against corporate greed and failed economic policies.

The “Movimiento de los Indignados” (Movement of the Outraged) began in Barcelona, Spain, during the month of May, when thousands of protesters occupied the city’s main square during several days.

With hundreds of events planned on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, Oct. 15 was chosen as an international day of protest in cities around the world. On Twitter, many of the international events, including protests in Costa Rica, were listed under the hashtag #Globalchange.

At least five different Costa Rican initiatives were planned on social media platforms. Participants met on Saturday morning at three points in San José: Plaza de la Cultura, Plaza de la Democracia and Plaza Mora in front of the main post office. Costa Rican protesters set out to take over urban locations as meeting points. 

The protest began at 11 a.m. with a small group of people gathered at the National Theater in the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San José. Participants from Plaza de la Democracia and the Plaza Mora joined the bigger group in the Plaza de la Democracia.

Protesters marched from the Plaza de la Cultura towards the main post office and back, singing “indignados, indignados”

(outraged) recalling the slogan of the Spanish movement.

“This is a spontaneous event with no official organizers, leaders or representatives. There is no program or agenda. We are here because we share the idea of a better future for our country,” said Mayela Ruíz, who organized a number of social network events.

Several protesters took the megaphone this morning to express their indignation. The current situation of the Costa Rican Social Security System was one of the main subjects of protest. Others expressed concern about ongoing threats to Costa Rica’s natural resources. 

Near the end of the weekend protest, marchers joined in singing Costa Rica’s traditional hymn, the Patriótica Costarricense.