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Protests surround APEC summit as world leaders, CEOs gather


Protesters rallied in San Francisco ahead of the APEC conference involving a meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov. 15. Demonstrators aimed to disrupt the meeting and CEO summit, advocating for people’s voices in decision-making.

A demonstrator confronts a police officer during a protest outside the APEC Summit, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
AP Images

Around 150 people formed a human chain to block conference attendees at an intersection. Some protesters oppose Chinese policies, while others address global issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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San Francisco has prepared for potential confrontations with metal mesh barriers near the convention center.

“It’s amazing,” said Donna Denina, an organizer for No to APEC. “I think people are coming together, putting aside whatever differences they may have politically, ideologically, and coming together for one goal, which is to shut down this ministerial meeting, this CEO summit, to make sure they can’t sit at the table unless the people can sit at the table and express their demands.”

Demonstrators try to block an attendee from entering outside the APEC Summit Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
AP Images

At the kick-off event, Mayor London Breed expressed San Francisco’s readiness to host the 2023 APEC summit.

“San Francisco is well-prepared to be an ideal host for the APEC Summit, and we are fully committed to enhancing security, improving the city’s infrastructure, and ensuring comprehensive access to information,” Breed said. “The APEC Summit will not only make San Francisco shine on the global stage, but will also be an important catalyst to boost the city’s economic growth to US$50 billion.”

More than a thousand security personnel from various agencies will ensure order around the Moscone Centre, Yerba Buena Park and Nob Hill. Security will be further tightened by the deployment of Secret Service officers and the installation of a 14-foot fence to protect the core zone at the Moscone Centre.

Demonstrators march in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war in conjunction with the APEC Summit taking place Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
AP Images

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in San Francisco on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 14, urging a cease-fire in Gaza while President Joe Biden attended a 2024 reelection fundraiser in the city.

Approximately 500 protesters marched from downtown to the Merchant Exchange Club, where Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were present.

Demonstrators march in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war in conjunction with the APEC Summit taking place Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
AP Images

A brief confrontation occurred between protesters and police when the crowd attempted to enter an intersection blocked by law enforcement. Demonstrators, carrying large Palestinian flags, chanted “End the siege on Gaza now” and “Ceasefire now” as they walked through the streets.

Demonstrators gather outside of the Chinese Consulate to protest the participation in the APEC Summit of Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
AP Images

Pro-China and anti-China demonstrators also gathered near the Moscone Center with police vehicles limiting their visibility. Ahead of his meeting with China’s Xi Jinping, President Biden expressed the goal of stabilizing U.S.-Chinese communications after a tumultuous year.

Biden and Xi have not spoken in a year, with their last meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia. Tensions escalated following events triggered by the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon earlier this year.

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