Violent protests greet Bush's Latin America tour

Oh, those crazy Latinos. Do you think they know something we don't? By the way, the FOX News web site had a photo of two  police officers swinging clubs at a shirt-less, unarmed protestor with this caption: "Brazilian Bush-Bashing." The kid in the photo didn't look like George Bush to me.-Babel

SAO PAULO (AFP) - US President George W. Bush arrived in Brazil Thursday amid protests at his visit that turned violent at the start of his five-nation Latin America tour.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial capital, a massive demonstration poured down the main avenue. Protesters carried signs reading "Bush out of Iraq" and "Down with the Number One Terrorist George Bush."

Organizers said the demonstration drew at least 30,000 people; police put the number at 10,000.

The peaceful demonstration turned violent after a group of protesters entered a prohibited area along the avenue.

Protesters hurled rocks and sticks at police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets. The clash left 16 police officers and some six protesters injured.

Meanwhile, marchers marking International Women's Day chanted anti-Bush slogans.

"The women are demonstrating to say 'no' to North American imperialism, 'no' to neo-liberalism and 'no' to the domination of one people over another," Maria Fernanda Marcelino, member of the march organizing committee, told AFP.

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