Riot police hose down angry farmers at WTO protest

Sydney Morning Herald
Dec. 17, 2005

POLICE directed fire hoses and fired pepper spray at groups of demonstrators in Hong Kong yesterday as anti-World Trade Organisation protests intensified.

Trouble began when South Korean farmers and other protesters tried to break through hundreds of riot police blocking their path to the harbourfront venue of the World Trade Organisation conference. The protesters threw photographers' ladders and eggs at police.

In the Wanchai district, scores broke through police barricades designed to restrict them to an area designated for protest marches.

"No to WTO!" the crowds chanted as a helicopter passed over.

Two roads and an underground rail station in the area were closed for a time. One luxury store was seen draping protective netting over its display windows in case trouble spread.

Police had tightened security around the venue amid fears of violence as the talks draw to a close today.

Stone-block walls were built across access roads to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Last week, the site was the scene of three days of minor scuffles between riot police and dozens of mostly South Korean farmers.