On April 20th a group of people will stage a protest in the Plaza de Democracia in San Jose, for the legalization of marijuana. A facebook group, “si a la legalizacion de la majihuana en Costa Rica” has been started to promote the event and the movement. They have 4728 members as of this time, and have 3500 people who have committed to attending the protest on 4/20. Similar protests are being held in Venezuela, the Netherlands, and the US.
Former US President Richard Nixon, started the “war on drugs” 40 years ago, and the group argues that it has been inefficient, a waste of funds and manpower, and that it has actually made the situation much, much worse. The group here in CR, is trying to create awareness that if CR follows the US example, it will create the same volatile situation that Mexico has.
The human rights situation in Mexico has been effected by the United States control policies, established to prevent the trafficking of drugs through Mexico and diminish, or even eliminate the powers of the cartels. The military and police in Mexico have been accused of serious human rights violations, including rape, torture, illegal arrest and the fabrication of evidence. US authorities are reporting an increased number of kidnappings, home invasions and murders, linked to the increasingly powerful drug cartels.
For more information on the planned protest join the group on face book. They have a similar event also planned for May 7th.
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