Activist kills self in protest

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » September 10, 2003, 7:36 pm

CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - A South Korean activist stabbed himself and died on Wednesday in violent anti-capitalism protests at a World Trade Organization meeting in Mexico's Caribbean beach resort of Cancun.

Reporters saw the man climb up onto a high security fence and wave a banner that read "WTO Kills Farmers." He then stabbed himself in the chest.

The South Korean man, in his 50s, was carried away and treated for his injuries but later died in hospital. One of his friends said it was an "act of sacrifice" to show his disgust at the WTO and its policies.

Mexico's foreign minister Luis Ernesto Derbez, who is hosting the WTO meeting, said the man had died from a self-inflicted wound.

The anti-globalization protests turned violent when a group of about two dozen activists broke through a metal barrier and attacked Mexican riot police.

Ok, maybe this isn't the best way to get your point across. WTO kills farmers? Apparently farmers kill farmers.

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » September 10, 2003, 8:02 pm

Darwin at work, methinks.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 10, 2003, 8:02 pm

I'm sure he knew there was no hope of surival if he required any sort of medical attention at all in Mexico.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » September 10, 2003, 10:06 pm

we need the dude with Ches avatar pic to post here

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » September 10, 2003, 10:50 pm

Actually, I'd say stab wounds kill farmers.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 11, 2003, 9:35 am

You know, if every idiot acted in this manner, the world would be a better place.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » September 11, 2003, 10:49 am

We're all idiots at one time or another.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » September 11, 2003, 10:53 am

Damn back home farmers usually die to silos or tractors, not knives!

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 11, 2003, 10:57 am

this is a peculiar thing in Asia though.

remember during the World Cup a few South Koreans set themselves on fire to release their spirits to give the team power?

And the (i'm gonna spell this wrong) Fal Lun Gong group in China that sets themselves on fire to protest shit?

it is remarkable to me how people can absolutley lose their minds. And additionally, in some instances people will absolutely suspend all reason and let people control them like freaking robots. we are very curious animals =).

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » September 11, 2003, 10:57 am

I am kind of curious in which way did he think the WTO was killing farmers.

The quote seems to indicate it was part of the anti-globalization crowd, and that may very well be the case. But from what I have been reading the biggest gripe of the developing world countries (along with some others) currently is the lack of free trade in agriculture and textiles. The first world, specifically the EU and the U.S., is far more protectionist in those sectors than in manufacturing. They are also more heavily subsidised as well (the U.S. had been getting a bit better for a while in cutting its agricultural subsidies but it looks like Bush has reversed that trend). Given that agriculture and textiles are sectors that the developing countries are more likely to be able to compete in, they are upset that protectionism remains high in this area.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 11, 2003, 3:32 pm

Kylere wrote:You know, if every idiot acted in this manner, the world would be a better place.

You're volunteering?

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » September 11, 2003, 5:22 pm

Behave! Oh wait...this is VV. Carry on.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » September 12, 2003, 9:48 am

I have never heard of Falun Gong sacrificing themselves. They are a very peaceful group that believes in meditation and non-violent protests. They have tens of millions of members including several high members of the chinese government. This is why China distrusts them. They have a lot of power but they use the Martin Luther King method of non-violence protesting.

Now the Buddhists burn themselves all the time but that ocurs mostly in Tibet I believe.