User:Calyth

WTO ZH wikimedia protest translation

The following translation is quite rough, and many of the translations are quite literal. Some events does not agree with the English versions. I've tried to note these things down using square brackets.

Demonstrations

Since the WTO Ministerial Conference could affect the livelihoods of farmers of many nations, the Korean Peasants League, an organization that had protested in other internation conferences [I'm assuming trade related] would send 1000 protesters to Hong Kong. Later, KPL spokesman Kwok stated that approximately 2000 farmers would participate in 3 major protests, and a candlelight vigil. He had indicated that a portion of the farmers promised to use peaceful and nonviolent means to express their views and protest. Hong Kong People's Alliance on WTO would unite and protest with various groups. The following timeline would be based on Hong Kong Standard Time.

Dec. 11, 2005 Sunday HKPAoWTO initiated a large scale rally called "Kong Yee Sai Mau [Oppose to WTO]: Stop Collusion between Government and Business". Approximately 4000 local and foreign protesters participated. The protesters donned cultural attire, representing their country, and gathered in Victoria park by 2pm, and started marching towards Hong Kong Government's central office in Central District by 3:30pm. By 8pm, they held their cultural event in Victoria Park's soccer field.

Dec 13, 2005 Approx. 300 from the South Korean anti-WTO organization gathered in Victoria Park in the morning. Most of their members are S. Korean farmers, and started to distribute anti-WTO pamphlets. By 10am, representatives from an Asian fishermans' organization gathered in the coastal area adjacent Victoria Park to protest on the water [trans notes: I'm assuming they're on a boat protesting]. Hong Kong People's Alliance on WTO also held the "People Power to Protect our Livelihood, Security and Dignity" assembly and rally by 11am. [HKPAoWTO site said they assembled in the soccer field in Victoria Park, and marched to Wanchai Protest Area.] They demanded the ministers and international business to end 10 years of unfairness brought on by the WTO. During the opening ceremony for the conference, some NGO representatives interrupted Director-General Lamy's opening speech by waving placards and chanting; they were asked to leave a few minutes later. By 4pm, approximately 100 protesters from a S. Korean farmer's association donned lifevests and jumped into Victoria Harbor. Some carried the S. Korean flag, attempting to swim to the HK Convention center. One man fainted; coast guard [trans note: it's not the coast guard per se, it's more like naval division of the police] and firefighter monitored the situation, but did not act against the protest. [I know this part to be untrue - police did indeed prevent protesters from swimming further and plucked them out of the water.] By 4:15, protesters from another Korean Farmer's group carried a burning cofin into the protest area, and attempt to breach the area. Police attempted to use a fire extinguisher to put out the burning coffin; however protesters errorenously thought that the police was dispersing them by force, causing further conflict. Some threw water bottles and bamboo sticks, while reporters are caught in the middle. Riot police was then called in, and peppersprayed the protesters, including LegCo member Leung. Some Western reporters were unfortunately affected by the pepper spraying. A Seoul-based union help negotiate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. But later, more protesters from the farmer's group entered, sat on the designated road to protest.

Dec 14, 2005 By noon, protest has escalated. Protester used plastic wrap and headgear to protect against pepper spray, and punched and kicked the police line. Some took away approximately 10 of the police shields, but they were all returned later. Later they cleaned up after themselves and left.