Latin America prepares to 'say no to Bush'

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· Maradona leads protests at summit in Argentina
· Opponents gather in high profile alternative meeting

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Friday November 4, 2005
The Guardian


George Bush left his problems at home yesterday only to find himself flying into a whole new world of hurt at the Summit of Americas in Argentina, where tens of thousands of protesters, led by the football star and broadcaster Diego Maradona, were due to greet the president in a "say no to Bush" march.

The president can expect an equally unfriendly welcome from some of the leaders and top officials attending the summit in the seaside town of Mar del Plata. Among those he can expect to come face to face with is Hugo Chavez, the outspoken president of Venezuela who has accused the Bush administration of attempting to orchestrate a coup against him and last week said the US was planning to invade his country.

Around 10,000 police and security agents have erected a ring of steel around the town, while Argentinian navy vessels have been positioned off the coast. Most commercial flights are due to be suspended once the 34-nation summit begins. But with so many protesters in the area, there are fears that trouble could break out.

Last weekend small bombs were thrown at several American bank branches and chain store branches. Maradona has urged viewers of his popular television show to join him in a protest outside the meeting. Argentina's "piquetero" movement - made up of protesters known for blocking roads and confronting authorities - has promised to descend on the resort in force.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/argentina/story/0,11439,1627459,00.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. Chavez to speak to the FTAA rally

At a parallel "People's Summit" in Mar del Plata on Thursday, organized by a coalition of left-wing, indigenous and antiglobalization groups, American proposals on free trade also came in for criticism, as did Mr. Bush himself.

"We Said No and No Means No: No to Bush, No to F.T.A.A. and No to Repaying the Debt," read one large banner at the conference, held in a group of tents and classrooms on the campus of a local university. Several thousand people attended.

"We've had enough of neo-liberalism and the damage it has inflicted on our societies," said Juan Montenegro, who came from Buenos Aires to take part. "Bush is trying to destroy Iraq with bombs and guns and Latin America with an economic program that will rob us of our sovereignty."

The "antisummit" began early in the week and is expected to culminate today in mass protest marches, led by Alfonso Pérez Esquivel, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Diego Maradona, the soccer idol. Mr. Chávez, with a foot in both of the gatherings here, is expected to be the main orator at a closing protest rally to be held at the main soccer stadium.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/04/international/americas/04cnd-prexy.html?hp&ex=1131166800&en=3cdb8cc69efdac1c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[mtnester]

4. Some may die for it too, based on what is happening now

wonder if we right here in our own country would be willing to do the same?

On edit, meant to post to OP..oops

[IndianaGreen]

5. People are dying now because of Bush!

The handful of violent protesters are dwarfed by tens of thousand peace demonstrators against FTAA.

[Sparkly]

2. Check out the pics

Thousands participate in a demonstration against the presence of U.S. President George W. Bush at the 4th Summit of the Americas in the center of Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 4, 2005. Thousands of protesters hit the streets of the heavily policed Argentine resort to march against Bush and his free trade push as leaders from the Americas convened for a contentious debate on how to improve Latin America's lot. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

More linked here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051104/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/americas_summit;_ylt=At76UX4ausFQRJX6FBzh6UGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

[windbreeze]

3. Gee, it's a shame they can't

personally, screen the people attending...or keep the local press from showing what's really going on...
windbreeze