I do not consent to being left out of the negotiations. They represent one vision of the world in which everything is a commodity and we won't stand for that because it's our world, too. About half the estimated 300 protesters are students, roughly 75 are union members and 75 are community activists and environmentalists, organizers say. They hope to join thousands of protesters who contend the talks are little more than backroom business dealings. Fears of violent demonstrations intended to undermine the talks have prompted officials to build a concrete and wire wall around several acres of the old city on the St. Lawrence River.
Activists say they are especially interested in their reception at the border with Canada.
Border officials cited one organizer's Vietnam protest arrest of 25 years ago in refusing him entry. But Canadian border officials said each activist would be treated individually. Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.