Thousands chant 'Get out, Bush!'

Protestors swarm streets of Argentine resort

Friday, November 4, 2005



Thousands of protestors chanting "Get out, Bush!" jammed the streets of Mar del Plata, Argentina, on Friday.

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP) -- Thousands of protesters chanting "Get out Bush!" swarmed the streets of this Argentine resort on Friday. Before dawn, thousands greeted a train bringing the last group of demonstrators from Buenos Aires, including Bolivian presidential hopeful Evo Morales and soccer great Diego Maradona, who donned a T-shirt accusing President Bush of war crimes.

Chanting "Fascist Bush! You are the terrorist!" the protesters hung from the engine and moved up the sides of the train, trying to shake hands with those inside. Later, they took to the streets, heading toward a stadium where Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a speech before joining the Summit of the Americas. Chavez arrived early Friday, saying he was "inspired" by the protesters, who also oppose the U.S.-led negotiations to form a Free Trade Area of the Americas stretching from Alaska to Argentina.

One marcher, Canadian steelworker Dennis Matteau, said free trade must be stopped. "We have NAFTA, so we know about free trade deals," he said. "They are not good for workers." The march was mostly peaceful, although some self-proclaimed anarchists spray-painted slogans on a bank.