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Change Your Life! |
Protesters are getting tired at APES? |
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September 14, 2000
MELBOURNE (AP) - Police in riot gear easily cleared a path Wednesday through a protest blockade at an economic conference, as demonstrator numbers dwindled after two days of sporadic and violent clashes. Helmeted officers carrying batons and shields outnumbered hundreds of protesters outside Melbourne's Crown Casino and hotel and formed a three-deep cordon to allow six buses carrying conference delegates into the complex. There were some minor scuffles, but no repeat of violent scenes from the first two days of the conference on Monday and Tuesday, when police staged baton charges into protesters who had surrounded the complex. Dozens of protesters and police were injured during the three-day protest, which aimed to disrupt the Asia Pacific Economic Summit hosted by the privately-funded, Switzerland-based World Economic Forum. Organizers said two protesters were hospitalized Wednesday after police cleared the path. But protests began winding down after it became clear that most delegates had been able to enter the conference venue in this southern city. The protest formally ended Wednesday afternoon, after thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown Melbourne, carrying placards and shouting anti-globalization slogans. The conference was due to wrap up later Wednesday. The march, watched by hundreds of police, blocked traffic downtown but was peaceful, with protesters passing by several McDonald's restaurants without incident. The fast-food chain has been targeted by anti-globalization protests overseas. "We are hoping to ... take our message into the city and to emphasize that we are here standing up for the majority of the world's people while the people in the WEF represent the minority," said protester Jackie Lynch. Police said 25 police were injured during the three days with cuts, bruises back injuries and broken bones. At least 30 protesters suffered similar injuries. One dozen protesters had been arrested and charged with offenses including assaulting police, criminal damage and hindering police. Organizer Stephen Jolly claimed the protest had been a success despite the violence and the failure of the group to stop delegates entering the conference. "Most importantly we've turned the WEF meeting here in Melbourne over the last three days into a sideshow," Jolly said. "It's been what's happening outside the forum that's been on everybody's agenda. "Our ideas, our actions here have been a great victory." Organizers also said busloads of protesters were planning to head to Sydney to lend support to Aboriginal protests at the Sydney Olympic Games. Aboriginal activists say they will stage demonstrations to highlight their plight as the most disadvantaged section of Australian society. Delegates including Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, have been discussing the recovery of Asia from its debilitating economic crises. Outside, a ragtag army of about 3,000 protesters, their numbers briefly swelled on Tuesday by about 5,000 labor unionists, have condemned corporations as exploiting workers in developing nations and having poor environmental standards. After protesters stopped about 200 of the nearly 900 delegates from entering the casino on Monday, police took stronger action early Tuesday, charging with batons through blockades to allow buses carrying delegates into the complex. The police used the same tactics to get the delegates out again in the early evening. Protest organizers accused police of using excessive force, and have called for an independent investigation of police tactics. Police said the measures were appropriate.
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