Police arrest 600 during protest against World Bank, IMF meetin

WASHINGTON -- Protesters opposed to war, capitalism and global trade policies clashed with police Friday as finance ministers from around the world began a weekend of meetings. About 600 protesters were arrested and one was slightly injured.

The protesters had threatened to shut down the nation's capital, but caused only minimal disruptions to the morning rush as they snaked through the city on foot and on bicycles, waving signs that said "End Corporate Greed" and "Drop Bush not bombs."

Police on motorcycles and horses corralled hundreds of protesters in a grassy area a few blocks from the White House. About 200 were arrested there and charged with refusing to obey a police order, police chief Charles Ramsey said.

Police herded the protesters onto seven buses and then loaded the leftover bikes, bags and banners on a truck.

Most of those arrested were charged with blocking sidewalks or entrances and parading without a permit. They will be able to post a small bond and be released.

About 65 people were charged with rioting after they broke windows at a Citibank office and tossed smoke bombs in Washington's business district. Those demonstrators will have to appear in court.

'Gaptivists'

In the afternoon, a dozen protesters stripped to their underwear while standing on the cut stump of a redwood tree they had placed across from a Gap store in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood. The self-described "Gaptivists" chanted "We'd rather wear nothing than wear Gap" and accused the company's owners of being involved in logging and running sweatshops.

"There are injustices going on all over the world and the Gap and the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are all part of it," said Anna Gennari, 21, from St. Louis. "It would be worth getting arrested if the message came across."

Gap Inc. did not immediately return calls seeking comment Friday.

All the protests occurred blocks away from the World Bank and IMF, which began meetings within a cocoon of fences, closed streets and police.

Patrick Reinsborough, an organizer with the Mobilization for Global Justice, said the arrests would not affect plans for a larger rally and march today beginning near the Washington Monument. The group wants the financial institutions to cancel Third World debt and end economic policies they say harm the poor.

"We've called for peaceful, dignified, nonviolent, creative actions," Reinsborough said.

Ramsey said his officers wouldn't interfere with lawful demonstrations.

"As long as they're peaceful, they'll be OK, but we make a judgment call," he said.

Many commuters heeded officials' advice to avoid driving into the downtown area Friday, leaving many streets empty and silent.

At one downtown intersection, protesters chained themselves together, and police had to cut the chains to arrest them. Other demonstrators danced in the street with mud and leaves smeared on their hair and clothes. Firefighters put out a few tires set ablaze on the outskirts of town.

Police also contended with a barrage of fake 911 calls. "It's another protester tactic," said Officer Tony O'Leary, a police spokesman.

In April 2000, police arrested about 1,300 people during demonstrations opposing the financial institutions and their policies.

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On the Net

Mobilization for Global Justice: www.globalizethis.org

Anti-Capitalist Convergence: www.abolishthebank.org

District of Columbia police: www.mpdc.dc.gov