Protesting the Cooperation
Despite the images you may have seen on CNN, the protest in Santiago was very peaceful. There were approximately 45,000 people who marched, all for various causes- supporters of women and gay rights, plabor laws, preservation of the environment,
not 4 sale
and of course anti-APEC and especially anti-Bush....
It came to a close with a concert in the park right by my house and things stayed peaceful for a good hour.
The crowd enjoying the concert.
But of course, things had to get nasty. I don't know how it started but tear gas was thrown- man that stuff BURNS!!!! (Did you know that eating lemons helps the pain go away?) After that there was no hope- kids had to get stupid. Windows were broken, cars burned, blah blah blah.
I left with Adrien right away and passed by the store where I always buy vegetables as well as the Internet place right around the corner- the owners were closing up shop. Just in time. The stupidity moved from the park to Seminario (thats the street name) and then from there I don't know because by then I was safe and sound at home. What a pity- out of the 30,000 that were there, a handful of people had to ruin all the fun.
"Get out Bush- enough with your pacts against the people!"
On another note- I am in the same city as 21 leaders of the world. It will be interesting to see what acords they come to, although they are not obligated to sign anything, nor are they regulated by anyone, nor hold accountable to anything. That is exactly what people don't like about about this Asia Pacific Economic COOPERATION-they don't cooperate with anyone but themselves and their friends with money! What about us, our culture, our land, our resources? Those are the questions that protestors want answered. We want a say too.
PS- I participated in the march because I think that the people should have a bigger piece of the pie when it comes to economic decision making, especially considering that they are the power to the machines.
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