U.S. Embassy in RP sees noisy protest

U.S. Embassy in RP sees noisy protest

MANILA (AP): Hundreds of left-wing activists denouncing free
trade broke through a police blockade yesterday to stage a noisy
protest in front of the U.S. Embassy against the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation summit in Vancouver.

No one was injured, but police arrested a man with a dagger
who ran along with the 500 protesters toward the embassy. Police
said the man was not one of the protesters.

American security officers at the embassy, surprised by the
protest, shut all gates. Dozens of Filipinos who had lined up all
day for U.S. visas were forced to leave.

Opponents of APEC say its goal of free trade by the year 2020
will hurt workers and farmers in poor countries who cannot
compete with large multinational companies.