archives of global protests2006 G20 Melbourne - ReportsProtesters Clash with Police at G20 Meeting
By REUTERS | November 18, 2006 2:17 a.m. ETMELBOURNE (Reuters) - Protests against a summit of the world's financial leaders in Melbourne turned violent on Saturday when activists overturned barricades, pelted police with bottles and smashed a police riot truck.
Police locked down several blocks of Australia's second biggest city to stop protesters reaching the meeting of the Group of 20 economic powers, after violent anti-globalization protests marred a World Economic Forum in Melbourne in 2000.
A hard core group of protesters dressed in white overalls and hoods, their faces covered, moved from one barricaded street to another, violently confronting police.
At one stage they overran a barricade, rained police with bottles and smashed a police truck, but minutes later police baton charged the protesters, sending them running.
There were no reports of arrests or injuries.
At other barricades protesters confronted mounted police and police with batons as they tried to pull down barriers and reach the G20 venue.
Police chants of « Back Off » were answered by protesters yelling « Our Streets. »
Some protesters threw bags of garbage at police.
But the main body of the protest, which attracted thousands of people, was peaceful, with a carnival-like atmosphere.
The diverse group of protesters marched through Melbourne's central business district towards the G20 venue, chanting « Stop G20 » and « Troops out of Iraq. »
At one stage with protesters tensely facing off riot squad police, a group of female clowns brushed police shields with feather dusters and blew bubbles over police.
Protesters dressed in pink tutus and called « Melbourne's Radical Cheerleaders » performed cheer dances and waved pom poms in the faces of police.
Many shops near the G20 venue had closed for the weekend, with some boarding up front windows. Police guarded buildings housing U.S. stores Nike and Starbucks, potential targets for anti-globalization activists.rock band played from the back of a truck, as tired protesters sat on the road.
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello, who is hosting the G20 meeting, said a hard-core group of protesters had attempted to damage Australia's reputation.
« There are hard-core militant and violent groups who have organized for violence, trained for violence and engaged in violence against property and police, » Costello told reporters during a break in G20 meetings.
« They are trying to trash the reputation of Melbourne and Australia. But Australia is a warm and giving country. »
Across the nearby Yarra River, aid and church groups staged a peaceful G20 protest in parklands, calling for an end to global poverty through debt relief and greater aid spending.
The « Fair Trade Market » of tents and stalls and world music performers attracted a largely family crowd.
The G20 represents 20 industrialized and developing nations, from economic powerhouses the United States and China to developing states Mexico and Indonesia. It meets annually to discuss world economics and trade.
g20 reports | g20 pictures | www.agp.org (archives) | www.all4all.org