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.