Anti-Bush March Repressed in Guatemala

Guatemala, Mar 12

Special forces from the Guatemalan Army and police repressed hundreds of demonstrators, who were protesting when local authorities were officially welcoming US President George W.

The demonstrators, chanting slogans against Bush s visit to Guatemala, succeeded in getting some 330 feet from the government seating, where a triple cordon of special agents from the army and police stopped them.

After more than two hours of protests, during which leaders from different social sectors gave speeches, the security forces began throwing tear gas and beating the demonstrators.

The attack took place despite the peaceful nature of the protest, which was aimed at expressing the people s discomfort at Bush s visit, at a time when the United States is stepping up repatriations of Guatemalans from the US.

Four demonstrators were arrested during the clashes, and several people suffered tear gas poisoning.

Since early morning rigorous checkpoints were set up in the capital s historic heart, about two miles around the National Palace of Culture.