Protests erupt in Chilean capital against Bush, Asia-Pacific summit

[CottonBear]

40 minutes ago Top Stories - AFP

SANTIAGO (AFP) - Chilean riot police fired water and tear gas at masked, stone-throwing anti-capitalist protesters Friday as leaders flew in for a major Asia-Pacific summit overshadowed by the "war on terror."

The mayhem provided a violent backdrop to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (news - web sites) (APEC (news - web sites)) summit, where President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s security agenda and and nuclear proliferation appeared set to eclipse talk of trade and the economy.

As a rally of tens of thousands of people culminated with a concert in a central Santiago park, masked protesters wrecked telephone cabins, smashed lamps and lobbed stones at police and through the windows of a closed McDonalds restaurant.

Military-style police in armored cars responded with water and tear gas, scattering people in the park. Organizers halted the concert.

more...

<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1504&ncid=1504&e=3&u=/afp/20041119/ts_afp/apec_041119194040>

The "Miami Model" in action.

[lovedems]

1. I wonder how that cocky SOB is walking now?

Do you think he walked into that summit with his "I am a bad ass cowboy" walk?

I am sure he slithered in like the snake he is. We all know bunnypants doesn't like to see those who despise him. I somehow get the feeling his mandate didn't follow him to Chile.

[CottonBear]

3. He's supposed to arrive later today

by which time all protestors will be wisked away. The authorities declared a holiday and many residents have left the city for the weekend. There are over 5,000 military-style police. Protesting is simply not allowed. This is bad news.

[lovedems]

5. If it is on the news, I hope the freepers don't see it.

Or they will be calling for war against Chile next! How dare they!

[yardwork]

13. This yahoo article is being freeped. Please vote it up.

It's at 2.something now. Freepers hard at work trying to bury this story. Little weasels.

[schultzee]

6. Do you think they will try to hide it from him? They did in England.

[demnan]

2. I'm glad he was done there to see that

rather than at the White House to see the feeble numbers that came out to protest him there.

[AlCzervik]

4. Didnt see that coming

:evilgrin:

[Rose Siding]

7. 40,000 in district farther out, some shouting "Bush assassin!"

Protests erupted in poor outlying neighborhoods far from Santiago's modern city center and the well-guarded luxury hotels where Bush and fellow world leaders were holding meetings. Thousands of police, including elite units with automatic weapons and officers on horseback have clamped down on the areas.

At the summit's only government-authorized march on Friday, organizers said 40,000 protesters participated, which took place far from the conference center where the leaders are gathering. Police put the number at 25,000.

That march was peaceful, but ended with a confrontation when a group of about 50 masked demonstrators interrupted a rock concert held for the event's close, throwing rocks at police, overturning park benches and tearing down traffic signs. Authorities reported 10 arrests before the protests subsided. A news photographer was hit in the head with a rock, but was not badly injured.

"Bush, get out of our country!" many shouted while others have burned American flags and protested the U.S.-led war in Iraq with cries of "Bush, assassin!"

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-apec-protests,0,5758527.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[Vidar]

8. note to self: add Chile to list of favorite countries.

[sadiesworld]

9. What a joke.

You would think by reading the first 95% of the article that increased "free" trade wasn't even on the agenda, that the meeting is all about terra and NK.

"anti-capitalist" protesters=terrorists.

:puke:

[struggle4progress]

10. kick for our President, adored around the world

:kick:

[proudbluestater]

11. I don't watch MSM anymore. Let me guess, nobody covered it!

I've seen reports of violence, but very few pictures. Our local rag included a six-inch article on it; far less than it deserves.

In the sixties, man, the protests were WELL covered. Every freaking night.

Did you all know there's a website called protest.net? I hit on it the other night unintentionally. I'm going to go back and check out what's new!! Protest now before it's too late!@

[yardwork]

12. Why are protesters always described as "anti-capitalist"?

Why aren't they described as "pro-democracy"? Or maybe "freedom fighters"? Or just "protesters"?

It's always "they hate capitalism." This is bullshit. Of course, it's entirely possible that the protesters do hate capitalism, for what it's done to the world, but their more immediate concerns are the fascists who are suppressing democracy.

I guess the "journalists" aren't allowed to say that. Wouldn't be prudent.