Activists to Protest at APEC Summit in San Francisco, Targeting Corporate and Environmental Issues, and Israel-Hamas Conflict

This Sunday, San Francisco will witness a convergence of activists protesting a myriad of issues, ranging from corporate gains and environmental damage to poor labor conditions and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. These demonstrations are timed with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, attracting world leaders like President Joe Biden and representatives from nearly two dozen nations.

The week-long APEC leaders’ meeting is set to bring together over 20,000 participants, including a significant presence of international media. The No to APEC coalition, comprising over 100 grassroots organizations, is vocal in its criticism of the summit. They argue that trade agreements finalized at such gatherings often exploit workers and their families.

Although the Moscone Center and other summit venues will be heavily secured, making it unlikely for world leaders to see the protests firsthand, activists remain determined. Suzanne Ali, from the Palestinian Youth Movement, emphasizes the need for the U.S. to be accountable for its role in the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly regarding arms supplies to Israel.

Despite the limited visibility of the protests to the summit attendees, Ali believes their collective action and presence will send a strong message. San Francisco, known for its history of emphatic protests, has seen similar demonstrations in the past. The 1999 World Trade Organization conference in Seattle is a notable example, where protests garnered global attention amid severe police response.

Recent APEC summits have also faced protest-related disruptions. In 2019, Chile had to withdraw from hosting duties due to widespread protests, and the 2020 Bangkok summit saw pro-democracy demonstrations challenging the Thai government.

San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott anticipates several protests each day during the summit. He asserts the right to peaceful protest but warns against any acts of violence or crime, vowing to take necessary action in such cases.

APEC, with 21 member nations including major economies like China and the U.S., is also hosting a CEO summit this week, which is drawing criticism and planned protests. Particularly notable is the expected meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s stringent security measures during such events contrast sharply with the open protest environment expected in San Francisco. In China, extensive security is deployed, and human rights activists often face preemptive warnings against demonstrating.

Rory McVeigh, a sociology professor at the University of Notre Dame, notes that protests can influence political leaders and public opinion, especially when they gain media attention. Various groups, including the United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, are set to protest against leaders like Xi Jinping and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos.

The choice of San Francisco as the summit’s host city has drawn criticism from activists like Nik Evasco, a climate advocate. They argue that it contradicts the city’s legacy of championing worker rights, as it welcomes leaders and CEOs allegedly responsible for exacerbating current global crises.

This report includes contributions from Huizhong Wu of Big Big News, reporting from Bangkok.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about APEC Summit Protests

More about APEC Summit Protests

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• No to APEC Coalition
• San Francisco Police Department
• 1999 Seattle WTO Protests
• Human Rights Activism in China
• Center for the Study of Social Movements, University of Notre Dame
• Pro-Democracy Protests in Thailand
• History of Protests in San Francisco