Thai Red Shirts 'reach deal to end protests'

Bangkok, Thailand (News Terupdate) - Anti-government protesters who have been blocking off central Bangkok appear to have reached a deal with the government, their leaders told demonstrators Tuesday.

Leaders of the protest movement told supporters they are prepared to accept a five-point deal being offered by the government, including a call for new elections in November.

But they will not end their demonstrations until the prime minister announces when he will dissolve parliament, they said.

The crowd erupted in a roar of approval when their leaders told them of the deal, which seems to remove the threat of a violent crackdown on the protesters.

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Thousands of anti-government protesters have brought the center of Thailand's capital to a standstill for weeks as they seek to unseat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, which they say is illegitimate and undemocratic -- accusations Abhisit has called "unfounded."

iReport: Behind Red Shirt lines

The demonstrators -- known as "Red Shirts" because of their clothing -- support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, before he was ousted in a bloodless coup.

Explainer: What are the protests about?

More than two dozen civilians and military personnel have died since protesters began occupying key tourism and shopping areas in Thailand's capital.

Thai security forces fired on crowds of anti-government protesters just outside Bangkok last week as tensions flared in the latest round of confrontations between the two groups.

The Erawan rescue agency said eight protesters were injured in the clashes. One soldier was killed by friendly fire, police said.

Riot police and government troops had massed along a major highway to stop the progress of an anti-government convoy headed toward a location where demonstrators have gathered in the past.

The British and United States governments have issued warnings to their citizens about travel to Thailand in light of the protests.

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Protests against Arizona immigration law go nationwide

(News Terupdate) - Thousands of protesters in cities across the United States waved American flags as they rallied Saturday against Arizona's tough new immigration law and pushed for national immigration reform.

"Si se puede," "Yes we can" and "Boycott Arizona" were common refrains for groups protesting from Los Angeles, California, to New York City.

May 1 is traditionally a rallying day for supporters of immigration reform. But protesters across the country said they were galvanized by Arizona's recent passage of a law cracking down on illegal immigration.

The new Arizona law requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there is reason to suspect they are in the United States illegally. Critics say it will lead to discrimination and racial profiling.

But Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has said the law is necessary because the federal government has failed to enforce border security with Mexico, allowing hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to move into the state. She said changes to the law she approved Friday, which clarify that police could only stop suspected illegal immigrants while enforcing some other law or ordinance, should eliminate concerns about racial profiling.

But criticism of the law was clear among tens of thousands of protesters flooding the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday, where organizers said they hoped to send a strong message with the number of people turning out.

"Does my face look illegal?" one sign read.

Karen Rayner, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said 50,000 people marched at the demonstration's peak. Rayner said the rally was "very peaceful" and no one was arrested.

Police arrested about 20 protesters -- including a U.S. congressman -- at Saturday's rally in Washington.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, was among a group of protesters who were arrested for blocking the sidewalk outside the White House in what they said was a planned act of civil disobedience. The protesters wore T-shirts that read "ARREST ME NOT MY FAMILY" and "ARREST ME NOT MY FRIENDS."

A smaller group of about 200 people rallied outside the State Capitol in Phoenix, protesting the new law and asking the federal government to step in to stop it.

About 1,000 people gathered in New York City's Union Square on Saturday afternoon.

Cesar Mack, an international studies student at City College of New York, told CNN he was an undocumented immigrant from Peru.

"I've been living in this country six years and I'm still fighting for immigration reform," he said.

CNN iReporter Julio Ortiz-Teissonniere said he saw signs in Arabic, French, Spanish and English at the New York rally. One sign in the crowd particularly caught his eye: "Todos somos Arizona" -- "We are all Arizona."

"They were trying to convey that message that it's a city and nation based on immigration. Everybody came from somewhere else," he said.

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Thousands across the globe stage marches, protests on May Day

(News Terupdate) - Thousands of people across the globe took to the streets on Saturday in annual demonstrations for May Day, the annual event marked by demonstrations demanding better working conditions.

Known as International Workers' Day, the holiday draws thousands to peacefully protest. Others, as in Athens, Greece, clashed with police amid growing anger over the government's stiff plans to grapple with the country's debt.

About 12,000 people in Athens were on the streets, waving red flags and at times surging toward a line of police, who wore helmets and carried riot shields. Those disturbances led to injuries and arrests. A satellite truck was torched and two ATMs, the glass frontage of a bank and a car were damaged.

In Russia, more than 2.5 million people participated in traditional May Day celebrations in 900 cities and towns, the country's trade union federation said. The largest gatherings took place in Krasnodar, Yakutsk, Vladivostok, Izhevsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg. The people spoke out in favor of decent salaries and stable employment.

Watch May Day demonstration in Paris, France.

According to CNN sources and state-run news reports, there were many demonstrations.

Turkey:

For this first time in 30 years, tens of thousands of union members and leftist political activists gathered for the first legally sanctioned May Day celebration in Istanbul's central Taksim Square.

Germany:

Several protesters were detained after clashes with police in Hamburg. Seventeen police officers were reportedly injured when confronting demonstrators who they said were throwing rocks and setting garbage cans on fire.

Cuba:

A throng marched through Revolution Plaza in Havana. Crowds are usually big in Cuba on International Workers' Day but government officials said the turnout was a signal to Washington that the country is unified and supports its leaders.

United States:

Several dozen cities braced for protests against Arizona's controversial new immigration law.

Asia:

Thousands gathered in several Asian cities for its annual May Day demonstrations. They demanded improved working conditions and wage increases. Clashes between police and protesters were seen on TV.

Iran:

Protests popped up at the Labor Ministry, where demonstrators clashed with police and shouted "Death to the dictator."

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Protesters descend on Wall Street, New York City banks

New York (News Terupdate) - Protesters rallied in downtown New York City Thursday to voice their anger over what they perceive as the roles Wall Street and big banks played in America's economic crisis.

Marching from City Hall to Wall Street, the protesters chanted "good jobs for all," and held signs with messages including "Hold banks accountable," "Make Wall Street Pay," and "Reclaim America."

The AFL-CIO organized the rally, and union President Richard Trumka addressed the crowd, saying, "How long will we allow the spirit of greed to continue to drive us into economic holes?"

The National Action Network, a group that was involved in organizing the protest, said in a news release that demonstrators represented unemployed workers, foreclosure victims and community activists.

Protester Gerard Pettine said he just wants Wall Street to be held accountable for its involvement in the economic collapse.

"They need to have some integrity and some honor and do the right thing," Pettine told CNN.

Protester Elizabeth Soto, who came with her brother to the rally, was concerned about the lack of job creation.

"We are here to say Wall Street's got to help Main Street," she said. "We supported the stimulus bill, which bailed out Wall Street, but we expected the jobs to come back to Main Street."

The New York Police Department estimated that 6,000 people participated in the rally.

Earlier Thursday, as part of a larger "day of action" against Wall Street, protesters descended upon the headquarters of two New York City banks -- JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo -- leaving letters for the banks' chief executive officers.

The letters, according to the news release from the National Action Network, said that the banks have an opportunity "to step up to the plate and be leaders in rebuilding the American economy."

JP Morgan spokesperson Mike Fusco declined to comment on the letter, but said that there were a "couple dozen" protesters who were in the building for less than a half hour.

Fran Durst of Wells Fargo said that about 100 protesters flooded their building's lobby and tried to deliver their letter to the bank's CEO. Durst said the event didn't cause a major disruption to the bank.

Other protests were scheduled in San Francisco, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the National Action Network's press release.

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Thai forces, protesters clash in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand (News Terupdate) - Thai security forces fired on crowds of anti-government protesters just outside the capital, Bangkok, Wednesday as tensions flared in the latest round of confrontations between the two groups.

"This is a very tense and intense standoff," CNN's Arwa Damon reported. "There is row upon row of riot police."

Live ammunition and rubber bullets were being used by security forces, according to Damon.

The Erawan rescue agency said eight protests were injured in the clashes. One soldier was killed by friendly fire, authorities said.

Riot police and government troops had massed along a major highway to stop the progress of an anti-government convoy headed toward a location where demonstrators have gathered in the past.

Security forces and riot police were trying to disperse protesters, while the demonstrators along other portions of the highway stood in the way of troop reinforcements.

Rainfall cooled the conflict for a time, stopping the advance of riot police and government troops.

iReport: Are you there? Share your story, images

Under government rules of engagement that have been published, troops are allowed to used tear gas on demonstrators that come with 100 meters (just over 100 yards), and live ammunition on those that come within 30 meters (about 100 feet).

Thousands of anti-government protesters have brought Thailand's capital to a standstill as they seek to unseat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, which they say is illegitimate and undemocratic -- accusations that Abhisit on Monday called "unfounded."

The demonstrators -- known as "Red Shirts" because of their clothing -- support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, before he was ousted in a bloodless coup.

More than two dozen civilians and military personnel have died since protesters began occupying key tourism and shopping areas in Thailand's capital.

Explainer: What are the protests in Thailand about?

The latest fighting came as the British Foreign Office warned British citizens against traveling to Thailand unless absolutely necessary, citing the ongoing political unrest there.

"This advice reflects our concern that violence could break out during the increasingly volatile political crisis," the Foreign Office said in a message posted on its website Wednesday.

Last week, the U.S. State Department issued a similar advisory for Americans.

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Thai protesters set terms for negotiations

Bangkok, Thailand (News Terupdate) - The leaders of anti-government protesters in Thailand offered Friday to return to the negotiating table -- but only if the government meets certain demands.

The demonstrators will resume negotiations if the government lifts a state of emergency and other measures and shows responsibility for the deaths of protesters on two days this month, said Weng Tojirakarn, a co-leader of the anti-government Red Shirt protesters.

His remarks come as tension remains high on the streets of Bangkok, where a political standoff has gripped the country for several weeks.

The Red Shirts have been clashing with the Thai military in a Bangkok area that serves as a financial hub.

iReport: Are you there? Share your story, images

Another co-leader of the Red Shirts, Veera Muskapong, met with foreign diplomats Friday and told them he might meet with the government if it meets certain conditions.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, huddled with the chiefs of the country's armed forces early Friday after a string of grenade attacks killed at least one person and wounded dozens of others.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said in a televised address that the grenades were launched from the area where the Red Shirts have been encamped for weeks, but the protesters denied any responsibility for the attacks.

Watch red shirt protests

Suthep told Thai television earlier that three people died in the attacks, but Bangkok's Erawan Emergency and Rescue Center later revised the number to one. At least 87 people were wounded, the center said.

The Thai Department of Special Investigation warned that people responsible for the grenade attacks could face the death penalty, the MCOT news agency reported.

The attacks prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a travel alert advising American citizens of the escalating violence in Bangkok.

Suthep said riot police and helicopters were deployed to join Thai troops in the area, which was still littered with glass amid the standoff.

Across the barricades, the Red Shirts were playing music and trying to encourage a festive atmosphere. Demonstrators told CNN late Thursday they wanted to drive home the point that their rallies are supposed to be peaceful.

Thrown into the volatile mix are a group of protesters who called themselves the Multicolored Shirts -- they oppose the anti-government Red Shirts. On Friday, they took to the streets in large numbers.

Explainer: What are the protests in Thailand about?

Thursday's five explosions took place near an elevated train station where the protesters are gathered, said Col. Sansern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman for the Center for Resolutions under Emergency Situation. Three of the grenades landed on the roof of the station, but at least one landed outside a nearby hotel, Sansern said.

The Red Shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006. They want Abhisit to dissolve the government, hold new elections and leave the country.

Source : CNN

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