In Hong Kong the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting has opened up amid mass protests. At the center of the demonstrations have been a group of farmers from South Korea. Members of the group tried to gain access to the WTO meeting by swimming through Victoria Harbor. In the streets, police fired pepper foam to block demonstrators from getting near the ministerial meeting. About 15 activists were able to make it inside during the opening address of WTO Director General Pascal Lamy. The demonstrators unveiled signs reading “The WTO Kills Farmers” and “No to the WTO.” Critics of the World Trade Organization charge the WTO has undermined democracy around the world by promoting the trade agenda of multinational corporations.

• Jose Bove, French farmer and activist: “Today, the opening of markets is a real danger for most farmers in the south and the north. That’s why the trade talks are a delusion and we oppose the European agricultural policy and the U.S. one which are still hiding their export subsidies.”