So far, freer trade has not been hampered by enforceable protections. To the contrary, nations seeking to enforce their own health and safety standards have consistently been overturned by the unelected WTO on the grounds that high standards hurt exports, thus violating free trade. Training in nonviolent protest started months ago. The demonstrators hope to inspire the rest of us to challenge the corporate agenda. If they manage to shut down the meeting entirely, so much the better.
Civil disobedience has a long, proud, effective history.
Unfortunately, the mass media are likely to focus on the more bizarre episodes and personalities rather than on the substance, if they cover the protests at all. Let's hope the press gets the message right, and let's think about that message the next time we buy cheap products made abroad.