Thousands of protesters were expected to gather Sunday in downtown San Francisco to call for a stop to this week’s APEC gathering.
San Francisco, CA
Protesters to March Against APEC Gathering in San Francisco
The No to APEC Coalition—an umbrella group of over 150 grassroots organizations—has criticized the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum for pushing “free trade” to harm indigenous people around the world.
Coalition protesters planned to gather at noon at Harry Bridges Plaza on the Embarcadero, before marching about a mile to Moscone Center in the South of Market neighborhood.
In a statement late last week, representatives from the No to APEC Coalition said protesters would peacefully speak out about their opposition to the gathering, as well as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework—the Biden administration’s road map for a new Asia-Pacific economic strategy—and climate initiatives they perceive as less than transparent.
“Taking our demands for a clean and vibrant future through the streets directly to the militarized center of negotiations is representative of the power of our popular resistance,” Nik Evasco, an organizer with the NO2APEC Climate Bloc, said in a statement Friday. “We march with our heads held high, across generations, across movements and inclusive of the many voices that are purposefully shut out of free trade summits.”
READ MORE: Activists Vow To Disrupt San Francisco’s APEC Summit With Mass Protests
APEC, launched more than 30 years ago, is a grouping of 21 member economies, including the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea and Australia, aimed at promoting free trade throughout the Asia Pacific region. It hosts multiple meetings in a given host nation throughout the year, culminating in “Leaders Week,” which is taking place in San Francisco this week.
Alongside Leaders Week is the APEC CEO Summit, which will bring heads of state together with business executives like X owner Elon Musk and Salesforce boss Marc Benioff.
Evasco criticized San Francisco for creating “a safe space for the biggest human rights abusers of our era to meet and carve out the world to make profits for themselves and their corporate enablers.”
Protesters with No to APEC’s Palestine Bloc, as well as others attending an “All Out for Palestine” prayer vigil, were expected to gather at the plaza at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
READ MORE: 10 Security, Traffic, Transit Maps to help you navigate APEC in San Francisco
The U.S. Secret Service is the lead agency for security for the APEC events. Restrictions on pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be in place around the Moscone Center, transit lines will be rerouted or closed, and air traffic over San Francisco will be limited.
President Joe Biden will be staying in Nob Hill, and additional security measures will be in place there. Part of the Embarcadero will be closed Wednesday for event that will bring world leaders to the Exploratorium.
More than 1,000 outside law enforcement officers are coming to San Francisco to deal with any potential disruption.
READ MORE: Several Protests a Day Expected in San Francisco During APEC
While activists gear up to get their message heard, San Francisco is doing everything it can to facilitate a successful APEC, including ramping up security, rerouting traffic and broadcasting a marketing campaign to promote the event. Leaders and wealthy sponsors of the summit are also hosting fancy events and celebrations across the city.