Protesters Storm Gates in Quebec
QUEBEC — Protesters tore down a section of the concrete and chain-link security barricade at the Summit of the Americas and threw cans, bottles and rocks at police Friday. Police responded by lobbing canisters of tear gas.
Police in riot gear formed a line and marched on the demonstrators to force them back.
The confrontation broke out about two blocks from the convention center where hemispheric leaders were to open a three-day summit later in the day. The protesters tore down more than 150 feet of fence -- part of a 2.3 mile security perimeter encircling the summit.
Police fired tear gas into the crowd to force it back. Some of the canisters were tossed back at the police. Several dozen riot police formed a line and marched on the demonstrators, forcing them to retreat. The protesters threw cans, bottles, rocks, metal sheeting and stuffed animals.
The standoff involved about 1,000 protesters and about 150 police carrying riot shields. The police thumped clubs rhythmically against their shields. From the protesters came the wail of a bagpiper and drum rolls. Some of the protesters wore gas masks; some were armed with crow bars but didn't appear to use them.
Before Friday's clash, the city was braced for demonstrations. The center of old Quebec looked like a Depression-era city, with plywood sheets covering the windows and signs reading "ferme" -- "closed" in French -- on many doors. A downtown McDonald's restaurant, often a target of anti-globalization activists, even removed the lettering and trademark golden arches from its facade.
Activist groups opposed to the free-trade talks said they intended to hold major demonstrations to protest the summit of 34 Western Hemisphere leaders, including President Bush.
Police set up the security fence, dubbed the "Wall of Shame" by protesters, to prevent disruptions like the street clashes that derailed global trade talks in Seattle in 1999. The 2.3-mile barrier surrounds several acres of the city, where the major summit venues are located.
Initial protests on Thursday were peaceful. The largest was a candlelight procession by about 500 banner-waving marchers from a local university who stepped to a steady drum beat.
The major demonstration planned for the summit was a Saturday march, with organizers expecting thousands from Canada, the United States and Latin America to take part. Some activists said they also intended to protest along the security wall on Friday to try to disrupt the arrival of some of the leaders and delegates.
In the days before the summit, seven men were arrested on charges of planning violence during protests and police seized military smoke grenades and small explosives.
More than 6,000 police officers were being deployed in one of the largest security operations in Canadian history. Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who arrived on Thursday as host of the summit, said the tight security was necessary to guarantee the success of free-trade talks involving the visiting leaders.
The protesters represent a diverse range of activists -- organized labor, human rights organizations, environmental groups and other who say the trade talks should be held in public instead of in a locked conference center.
A "People's Summit" of groups opposed to the free-trade talks called Thursday for a hemispheric referendum on the proposal.
Protests also are planned far from Quebec City, with marches or blockades threatened in other Canadian and U.S. cities and in Tijuana, Mexico, at the border with California.
-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001
BBC report
Friday, 20 April, 2001, 21:27 GMT 22:27 UK
Confrontation in Quebec
Demonstrators were pushed back
There have been angry clashes involving police
and demonstrators outside the conference
venue in Quebec where hemispheric leaders
are to open the third Summit of the Americas.
The protesters, many of them wearing gas
masks, stormed into the security zone and
succeeded in pulling down a 160-metre stretch
of a perimeter fence.
They also hurled stones and bottles at riot
police, who responded with tear gas and baton
charges.
Several dozen riot
police formed a line and
marched on the
demonstrators, forcing
them to retreat.
Reports said two
officers were injured.
The demonstrators
represent a diverse
range of activists -
human rights
organisations,
environmental groups
and organised labour.
Most argue that free trade, one of the goals of
the three-day summit of leaders of 34
countries in the Americas, hurts the poor and
the environment.
US President George W Bush has launched a
charm offensive to try and persuade his fellow
heads of government of the advantages of
free trade.
He told reporters that his goal was to create
an "entire hemisphere that is both prosperous
and free".
"It is a great task to
make the Americas the
Land of Opportunity,"
he said.
"Our goal in Quebec is
to build a hemisphere
of liberty. We must
approach this goal in a
spirit of civility, mutual
respect and
appreciation for our
shared values."
Mr Bush made it clear that as well as
discussing the drug problem, promoting his free
trade plan was his top priority.
Mr Bush faces the most resistance from Brazil,
the largest economy in South America, which
would like to see US concessions on
agricultural subsidies.
The role of Mexico is also in doubt. Currently
the only Latin American country to enjoy
unrestricted access to US markets, it is loathe
to give up that privilege.
Bigger than EU
The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
would encompass nearly all the countries of
the Americas with a combined population of
800 million who produce goods and services
totalling $11.4 trillion - bigger than the
European Union.
The plan, if approved by 2005, would eliminate
- or lower substantially - tariffs on goods
moving between countries. It would also
streamline customs regulations, eliminate
quotas and subsidies, and remove other
impediments to trade.
The major demonstration planned for the
summit is a march on Saturday, with organisers
expecting thousands from Canada, the Latin
America and the United States to take part.
Protests are also planned far from Quebec
City, with marches or blockades threatened in
other Canadian and US cities. Cyberprotests
could also oc
-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001