TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People gathered in San Francisco protesting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), bringing up various issues from climate crisis to the occupation in Palestine.

APEC Summit is held from November 11 to 17, 2023, attended by cross-Pacific political leaders from 21 countries including Indonesia, represented by President Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

Protesters converged on the plaza on Sunday in front of San Francisco's ferry building, the gateway to the city, carrying banners and posters opposing APEC, calling for economic and environmental change, and waving Palestinian flags.

Others were opposed to the oil industry and supported labor activists and immigrants' rights, and the crowd stretched for several blocks along the Market Street thoroughfare when the march began late afternoon.

The home of 1960s counterculture, San Francisco has retained an anti-authoritarian sensibility even as tech companies and employees have made the city a global influencer.

"We represent a story of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity, the core themes of APEC 2023. And, we are an important hub in the global economy," the official website of APEC wrote, explaining the reason for San Fransisco to host the conference.

Police expect multiple protests over the coming week at APEC, which accelerates on Wednesday, November 15, with the second meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The action could become confrontational on Wednesday, with protesters calling to block attendees from entering the San Francisco conference center.

"Our community is in chaos," said Roberto Ruiz (53), a musician at the ferry plaza on Sunday who said the funding used to support the leadership summit should have been used to help the poor.

"We have people in the streets who have no homes. This money could definitely have gone to them," he said.

As many as 3,000 people may live on the streets, according to data from a 2022 count published on the city's website.

Student Sarah R (21), who declined to give her last name, said she had come to send a message to Biden and other leaders in support of Palestinians facing genocide. Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the October 7 attack on Israel from Gaza by the resistant group Hamas.

Geoscience engineer Marty Brewer (56) urged a fast response to the climate crisis. "So far we are failing to address this emergency," he said.

REUTERS

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