Several groups plan a national protest in 25 cantons next week

Citizens groups, environmentalists, teachers and public-sector unions are planning a nationwide protest June 25 to draw attention to various problems currently affecting the country.

Three protest organizers, Luis Chavarría, secretary general of the Social Security Workers’ Union, Marcela Zamora, leader of the National Forum of Workers, and Oscar Mora, of the National Union of Teachers, on Wednesday said plans are finalized for next Tuesday’s events.

The reasons for the protests are diverse. Some groups will demand prison sentences for public officials who commit crimes while exercising public duties. Others will march to oppose recent changes to labor laws that eliminated benefits exclusive to public workers. Groups also want legal reforms to better regulate the bidding process on public infrastructure projects.

Environmental groups will call for justice to be served in the murder case of Tico environmentalist Jairo Mora.

In San José, demonstrators will gather at 9 a.m. at La Hispanidad roundabout, east of the capital, and then march to the Legislative Assembly where they plan to remain for several hours.

Along with protests in the central canton of San José, organizers said groups in 24 more cantons across the country have confirmed they will participate.

Organizers warned that they may call a national strike in August if their demands are not met.