:: NEWS COCKTAIL aka BlahBlahBlog ::

:: 11.04.2005 ::

:: "Thousands in Argentina Protest Bush" ::

Guardian Unlimited

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP) - More than 1,000 rampaging anti-American protesters set a bank ablaze Friday as the Summit of the Americas opened, shattering shopfront windows with wooden clubs and throwing rocks.

Scores of riot police with plastic shields responded with tear gas.

The violence capped a day of protests by more than 10,000 demonstrators who marched through the streets and shouted slogans against President Bush.

ALSO
Summit Protests Turn Violent in Argentina
AP Photo DLMX123

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP) - An anti-American rally turned violent Friday as more than 1,000 rioters clashed with police, setting bonfires in the streets and destroying storefronts across about six square blocks less than a mile from the inauguration of the fourth Summit of the Americas.

The violence in Argentina came after a massive, peaceful march by about 10,000 demonstrators who listened to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez urge them to fight U.S. policies, including a proposal to create a hemisphere-wide free trade agreement.

Later, a group of demonstrators wearing bandanas over their faces and beating wooden clubs against the pavement faced off with riot police, who responded by firing tear gas.

Car sirens wailed as frightened pedestrians fled. Police held fast behind the barricade and prevented what appeared to be an attempt by the demonstrators to break through.

Demonstrators then lit American flags on fire, while others shot rocks with slingshots at police. Several shops, including a minimarket and a pastry store, had their windows shattered during the rioting.

posted by me

:: 3:51:00 PM [+] ::
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