In Hong Kong today, poor farmers united in violent protest against global capitalism. Sound familiar? According to an Associated Press Story:
“The confrontation occurred after several thousand protesters marched through the city against the WTO and globalization, which many of them believe benefit primarily the rich and powerful. Some of the protesters – mainly South Korean farmers – punched their fists in the air and beat drums and gongs, while others held signs saying “RIP WTO” and “World Threatening Organization.”
Riot police with helmets and shields tried to fend off the protesters with pepper spray a few blocks away from the WTO meeting venue. The scuffle lasted about a half-hour and died down as police reinforcements arrived.
Earlier, dozens of South Korean farmers jumped into Victoria Harbor and tried to swim a few hundred yards along the coast to the WTO venue. Police intercepted them before they reached the venue.
Police have blocked off access to roads near the conference site and set up barricades in an effort to prevent violence that has flared at previous WTO summits.
Meanwhile, the WTO meeting opened with rich and poor nations still at odds over agriculture trade, the major sticking point that has held up world trade negotiations for months.”
This drama is as old as civilization – the rich trying to take advantage of the poor and the poor doing their best to fight back.
