KEY POINTS:
Thousands of demonstrators marched, largely peacefully, through Sydney yesterday, defying police predictions of violent riots.
But police later said two officers had been injured and 18 people were arrested at a protest rally.
Protesters were far fewer than the 10,000 to 20,000 predicted by the organising Stop Bush Coalition.
Funnelled through a police cordon, the marchers protested against US President George W Bush, Australian PM John Howard, and the policies pursued at the Apec summit.
The security clampdown was immense. Elizabeth St, near where Prime Minister Helen Clark is staying, was blocked by riot squad four-wheel-drives and the new police water cannon.
New Zealand Green MP Keith Locke, who also marched, said the event was satirical, yet peaceful, and was scathing of security measures.
"This is all utterly unnecessary. It's been low-key and humorous, which is a big defeat for the Howard Government's talks of violent protests at APEC."
