Civil groups march to protest Tower of Shame

Members of civil society organizations opposed to the construction of a 70 story mega tower on the site of the former U.S. embassy marched to Panama's presidency on Monday, demanding respect for public areas of the country.

They made the  trek to express rejection of the financial tower on Avenida Balboa, and the   constructionof the third phase of the Cinta Costera.

Earlier the group planted Panama flags on the ground where the U.S. embassy once stood, now occupied by a few ancient  trees which will soon be cut down to make way for the tower, which will also intrude on some of the land of Panama’s historic “white elephant”, the Santo Tomas Hospital.

Protestors have named the $250 million edifice “the tower of shame” which will house private and public offices.