APEC, a story of tame protests and intense security

by ryan | September 6, 2007 at 01:27 pm

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APEC protests have been rather tame. Probably in part due to the fact that the Australian government enacted special laws to keep protestors at bay.

About 300 students, many still in their high school uniforms, marched through central Sydney chanting anti-war slogans in protest at the US leader's presence in Australia for this week's Asia-Pacific summit.

Authorities however are gearing up for major trouble as the summit goes on.

Police allowed the colourful rally, featuring a group of scantily-clad models and a pantomime horse, to march through a section of the city well away from where Bush was meeting with Prime Minister John Howard.

But authorities successfully appealed in the courts for a curb on the main protest action planned for Saturday, which police estimate could attract up to 20,000 demonstrators.

Extended security measures (see pictures) are in place to handle potential problems.