Protests at Columbus plans

SANTO DOMINGO (Reuter) - Protests over plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas intensified on Wednesday as three cities in the Dominican Republic had general strikes and students shut down a university. Left- wing and grassroots groups object to the cost of the lavish memorials to Columbus, as well as to the concept of commemorating what they say was the start of enslavement and colonialism.

A memorial lighthouse, estimated to have cost dollars 100m ( pounds 57m), will be inaugurated on 6 October. Three cities were paralysed after the Collective of Popular Organisations called for a protest.