Sunday Times 2
Lone protester greets G20 chiefs
View(s):SYDNEY, Feb 22 (AFP) -A lone protester greeted a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors Saturday, in contrast to the summit’s last visit to Australia, which was marred by violent scenes.
The middle-aged man, holding a banner protesting against tax havens, tried to gain access to one of the hotels being used for the summit in Sydney and was escorted out by security, witnesses said.
“I have to call my wife and tell her I’ll be late for the opera,” the man told reporters after he was briefly arrested before being released without charge.
The Sydney meeting is shrouded in tight security, with officials wary after the last G20 finance minister’s summit in Australia in 2006.
Then, thousands protested on the streets of Melbourne against the war in Iraq and perceived inequalities in the global economy, with the demonstrations resulting in costly damage to buildings, arrests and injured police.