Police Battle Bush Protestors in Brazil
Posted by Vox on 8 March 2007
President Bush finally realized that with his single-minded focus on Iraq, he has forgotten to keep the colonies Latin America in hand. Of course, six years of benevolent neglect has allowed Latin American leaders to finally lead in some countries, and the people to begin to form valid resistance movements against oppressive government in others. Turns out, they’ve decided that they don’t want King George in their business anymore.
Riot police fired tear gas at protesters and beat them with batons in Sao Paulo after more than 6,000 people held a largely peaceful march, sending hundreds of demonstrators fleeing and ducking into businesses to avoid the gas.
Authorities did not immediately report any injuries, but Brazilian media said at least six people were hurt after marching two miles through the financial heart of South America’s largest city just hours before Bush was scheduled to arrive.
Police and anti-Bush protesters also clashed in Colombia, where Bush is scheduled to visit on Sunday as part of his five-nation tour of Latin America. [Full story]
In other completely unsurprising news, Mexico kind of hates us, too.
In Mexico City, which Bush is scheduled to visit Tuesday, about two dozen demonstrators gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy chanting slogans against the U.S. project to construct border fences and Bush’s visit.
“Why is he coming here? It makes no sense, it’s unreasonable, after all he’s done,” said protest leader Roman Diaz Vazquez, a lawyer. “We don’t like him. Why is he coming, after he ordered the construction of the border wall?”
Carmelo Ramriez Reyes showed up for the protest in a devil’s mask, carrying a placard reading “My name is George Bush, killer of Mexicans.” [Full story]
Turns out, if you smash down the people with an iron boot every time they try to scrape out of poverty, they tend not to like you much once they’re out from under your heel. And the fact that this is actually surprising to anyone in the Bush administration proves how out of touch with reality they are.
