Scoop Video: Bums To Them, Power V Passion

Sydney's Hyde Park became the centre of Anti-APEC activities including a 21 Bum Salute aimed at the 21 leaders of the Asia Pacific economies who are now embedded into their caged vacuum around the Central Quay waterfront area.

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Speakers, including New Zealand's Professor Jane Kelsey, and musicians delivered their messages to several hundred people throughout the afternoon while a group of pro-Bush supporters and Anti-Anti-APEC agitators held a rally on the opposite side of Hyde Park's fountain.

• (Scoop Audio): Jane Kelsey Rallies Anti-APEC Gathering

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Prof. Jane Kelsey.

The day's crescendo was the 21 Bum Salute, staged to focus wandering eyes on an alternative message to that flowing from inside the protester-free-fence. While well short of the 4000-cheeks world record the gesture hit its intended mark.

Once buttocks where bared, the passion spilled into Elizabeth Street where an altercation between protesters and NSW Police flared to drum and bass booming from a protester's park-blaster on wheels.

Several people were taken into police custody supposedly for blocking the road and holding up dignitaries who were desperate to be escorted from hotels to the safety of their pen. Thankfully a heavy deluge quelled tensions and eventually the impatient motorcade sped passed.

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Australia Green Party senator Kerry Nettle addresses the public at a central Sydney CBD rally.

Australia Green Party senator Kerry Nettle said at a central Sydney CBD rally: "How many more summits of world leaders to we need before they take real action on climate change? Aspirational targets are useless. We need real targets and drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution in the next decade… George Bush and John Howard are beholden to the coal and oil industry and are using APEC to put forward false solutions. Nuclear power and clean coal are dangerous pipedreams that will only delay the real action that is needed," Kerry Nettle said.

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