Anti-Bush Protesters Battle Police at Chile Summit

[moghrabi]

By Jason Webb
Nov 19, 2:52 PM (ET)


SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Hooded anti-American marchers protesting an Asia-Pacific summit in Chile on Friday hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at police who retaliated with water cannons and tear gas.

A large march against the weekend meeting of 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum turned violent when a few dozen youths broke away from the main group to attack police.

President Bush was due to arrive later on Friday and his visit has become a lightening rod for protests.

Tens of thousands of people streamed through downtown Santiago carrying banners and chanting slogans against the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, including "Fascist Bush is a terrorist."

The area affected by violence was small and had no effect on plans of APEC leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Hu Jintao, to hold bilateral meetings ahead of the leaders' summit on the weekend.

Ministers paving the way for the weekend meeting have discussed ways to revive global trade talks launched in Doha three years ago. Cooperation against international terrorism is also on the agenda, at the urging of countries including the United States and Russia.

China's Hu has taken advantage of his South American trip to guarantee supplies of key commodities for his booming economy. He launched free-trade talks with Chile, the world's largest copper exporter, and promised investment during visits to soy-producing Brazil and Argentina.

A VIOLENT MINORITY

Police estimated the number of marchers at 25,000, but protest leaders said the real number was 70,000.

"The turnout is much bigger than we'd expected. This is a polite response to Bush's barbarity," said Ernesto Medina, a march organizer.

APEC officials were far away in their hotels or in a convention center overlooking the foothills of the Andes on the outskirts of Santiago.

Protest organizers from leftist, indigenous and environmental groups said the rights of workers and the need to protect the environment were being ignored in the free-trade agreements promoted by APEC members.

A violent minority pulled shirts over their faces and started throwing rocks when the march ended in Santiago's Bustamante park. They broke up park benches and burned a U.S. flag.

Police doused them with water cannons and fired tear gas from armored vehicles at protesters who dodged behind trees. They made about 40 arrests.

At least one person, who looked like a marcher, was hurt, and was carried into an ambulance with blood streaming from his head.

Chile's government canceled all police leave and decreed a public holiday in Santiago on Friday as part of the strict security.

http://reuters.myway.com//article/2...211Z_01_N19577311_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-APEC-DC.html

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Anti-Bush Protesters

Looks like the anti-globalisation movement is growing again. It has a new focus too...Bush and his illegal wars

 

[Rick van Opbergen]

I'm not a real fan of the violent types. Don't see what's the use of smashing things. But they do send some important signals, as I recall (the peaceful ones) from the Seattle summit in what-was-it, 1999?

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Anti-Bush Protesters

The violent ones are actually few and far between though, Rick. What generally happens is they smash things up (and they'd likely be doing that with or without the anti-globalisation movement), then they disappear, then the cops kick the crap out of the peaceful protestors.

 

[grimy]

We obviously have a different opinion of what is considered 'few and far between.' I've had the distinct displeasure of being subjected to the needless violence perpetrated by these so-called demonstrators some of whom are professional which causes me to ask if in fact you have ever demonstrated for pay of any kind. The trouble that dogs the demonstrators and those who organize them and the event is that no one pays any attention. Sure the cause may be good, but when you piss off middle income families with your ridiculous antics and taunting you don't make friends in high places and that's what you require if you're ever to have any legitimacy whatsoever. Giving the cops a hard time? What for? The people want them there and they want you controlled. Smashing shop windows? You hurt the little guy, the entrepreneur, the guy struggling to make a go of something.

You people are complete idiots when it comes to demonstrating unless of course your purpose is only to entice others like yourselves who will never accomplish anything for your cause.

Want to make a difference? A real difference? Take a leaf from the Hells Angles, Outlaws etc. It's been a very long and difficult road for them, but finally the messages got through their thick skulls. If you want to lose the affection of law enforcement and you want to go about your business unencumbered by wire taps, surveillance and outright police harrassement - look and act like the very people you want to influence.

Of course this falls on deaf ears as the idiot left continues their idiotic ways which I suppose only provides fodder for places like this.

When will they ever learn. . . .

 

[Reverend Blair]

We obviously have a different opinion of what is considered 'few and far between.' I've had the distinct displeasure of being subjected to the needless violence perpetrated by these so-called demonstrators some of whom are professional which causes me to ask if in fact you have ever demonstrated for pay of any kind.

I've never demonstrated for pay and I highly doubt anybody else has either. It isn't like the anti-globalisation movement is flush with cash. I do know that left-leaning reporters who go to demonstrations have been accused of protesting for money, but they are working.

There have been rumours on the left of right-wing groups paying people to start violence at demonstrations. I've seen no evidence of that though.