Protests inside...

Non-governmental organizations inside the opening ceremonies of the WTO meeting held a peaceful protest against the undemocratic nature of the organization.

Peaceful protesters from NGOs inside the opening ceremonies of the WTO meeting.

As the Director-General of the WTO, Supachai Panitchpakdi, began his welcoming address, about 30 delegates from NGOs held up signs condemning the undemocratic nature of the World Trade Organization. "WTO undemocratic", "WTO unaccountable" and other messages were displayed in English and Spanish.

The television cameras, trained on Panitchpakdi, quickly refocussed on the peaceful protest. The security staff inside the room didn't do anything, to avoid creating a scene of repression of dissent inside the meeting.

The NGO delegates began to chant "shame!" in English and Spanish. Then they slowly left the room. The security guards did not take away the badges of the delegates, which was a good start.

Posted by EricS at September 10, 2003 12:45 PM