By Max A. Cherney and Michael Martina
Early on Wednesday, San Francisco saw protesters taking to the streets in anticipation of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Protesters obstructed some entrances to the APEC conference, disrupting the arrival of global leaders and CEOs of major U.S. corporations.
At the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco, protesters aimed to voice their objections to Chinese policies, hoping for hundreds of demonstrators to raise awareness about various global issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.
Approximately 150 people gathered outside the city’s convention center to block conference attendees from accessing the venue. The protest included speeches that criticized APEC and the Biden administration, advocated for climate change action, and expressed support for Palestinians. The demonstration was expected to be the largest anti-Xi protest during the bilateral talks hosted in the United States.
Supporters and opponents of Chinese policies faced off near the convention center, drawing attention to the tensions between the two groups, amplified by banners and flags. Police were deployed to ensure public safety, as thousands gathered around the summit site.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security designated the meeting as a national special security event, leading to heightened security measures, including the installation of barriers and an increased police presence.
(Additional reporting by Ann Saphir; Writing By Peter Henderson; Editing by Josie Kao)
