Anti-Bush Protest

At about 130pm on Monday afternoon Ryan and myself decided to go down to the national palace in central Guatemala City and observe what we thought was going to be a peaceful protest. There were about 500 people gathered around the side of the street to the national palace. There was a line of 20-30 police in riot gear blocking the road. In the distance the presidential motorcade could be seen with secret service agents in front of the main entrance. Snipers were visible on surrounding buildings as well.

When we first arrived not much was going on, people just chanting anti-bush phrases and walking around, but that soon changed. Rocks and eggs were being thrown at the riot police with insecticide cans being used as torches. There was a pinata of president Bush depicted as a devil that was up on a stick being carried around. This pinata provided the fuel for an increase in activity soon enough. Music started, firecrackers started going off, and the beating of the pinata ensued. The pinata was eventually lit on fire and thrown at the police. It was at this point that a group of protesters decided to pick up a piece of a large metal fence and hurl it at the riot police. As soon as this happened, the first can of tear gas was dispersed. Thinking this was going to be the extent of the gas, I started walking away without much worry. Bad idea!!!!!!

As i was walking through the crowd, canisters of tear gas started going off left and right, hitting people and flying under my feet. At this point my eyes were tearing up and i was choking. So I sprinted down the street making my way through the gas and trying not to run into people, cars, and cans of gas. After a few blocks i thought i would be okay but this is when the effects of the gas really hit me, I couldn't breathe very well, my eyes and nose were watering and burning like crazy, and my throat was on fire. I stopped to catch my breathe but soon had to continue running another 5 or 6 blocks to get away from the smoke. By now i had lost Ryan and decided to walk a few blocks in the other direction and return to the crowd to find him. Luckily I found him back near the crowd. So we were reunited with swollen, watery eyes and ready the get the hell out of dodge. We decided to walk to the other side of the palace and try and get a view of the president as he left, which we did. It was then a long walk home with anti-bush remarks being yelled at us the whole way. hhahahah FUERA BUSH!!!!!!!!!!