Free-trade protests block roads, close schools

(15 Mar 2005) 1. Pan of police in street forming human barricade 2. Policeman preparing to fire tear gas 3. Cutaway of photographers, pan to other photographers 4. Pan of water cannon being fired on protesters 5. Police firing tear gas 6. Line of police with riot shields 7. Tear gas being fired from behind line of police, pan to protesters fleeing 8. Tear gas in street 9. Line of police with riot shields, tear gas being fired 10. Pan of police with riot shields advancing on protesters 11. Various of protesters and tear gas in street 12. Various of police taking cover behind tree 13. Various of police advancing on protesters 14. Pan of protesters running through street beside bus, bus comes to a stop on pavement 15. Various of injured man in ambulance 16. Protesters smashing blocks of concrete 17. Police advancing on protesters and firing tear gas 18. Damaged bus comes to a stop on pavement 19. Pan of injured woman walking in hospital 20. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Oscar Berger, Guatemalan President: "I received word that it was a very poor turnout, not many people showed up and no major disturbances have taken place. Fortunately, everyone's rights were respected. To preach you must set an example." 21. Injured man on stretcher at hospital STORYLINE: Protesters denouncing a regional trade deal with the United States closed schools, blocked highways and clashed with police across Guatemala on Monday. Police fired tear gas and used water cannon to repel thousands of students, union members and other protesters from the area around the presidential palace. The protesters, some of whom threw rocks and bottles at police, were denouncing last week's 126-12 vote in Guatemala's Congress to ratify the Central American Free Trade Agreement. There was no immediate official report of injuries or arrests. President Oscar Berger was not overly concerned, saying he'd been told that there was a "very poor turnout" for the protest and that no major disturbances took place. "Fortunately, everyone's rights were respected. To preach you must set an example," he said. Guatemala is the third Central American country to ratify the deal signed in May by US President George W. Bush and Central American counterparts. Advocates claim it should improve the economies of all concerned by focusing efforts into areas where countries are most efficient, cutting prices and raising productivity. Protesters are worried by unfair competition, especially from powerful US companies. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...