sassa Posted September 28 Report Share Posted September 28 Hundreds of D.C. protesters arrested Demonstrators, police clash as finance ministers meet Sept. 27 — Police and protesters clash in downtown Washington, D.C. ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 — 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. More than 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. Among those arrested was the executive director of Greenpeace, John Passacantando, who said he was just riding his bicycle to work near the demonstration. Passacantando spoke at an environmental rally outside the World Bank on Thursday. 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. 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 Saturday 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. A Washington police officer hauls a commuter off her bicycle and drags her along the street Friday after the cyclist accidently turned into a street occupied by IMF protesters. “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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnice35 Posted September 30 Report Share Posted September 30 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.Whats the difference between these idiots and terrorist from the middle east? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starcapone Posted October 1 Report Share Posted October 1 Are you referring to the protestors as idiots?? I feel they're the opposite-> intellectuals!This was in the news last week!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnice35 Posted October 1 Report Share Posted October 1 Originally posted by starcapone Are you referring to the protestors as idiots?? I feel they're the opposite-> intellectuals!This was in the news last week!! Intellectuals? breaking windows and tossing smoke bombs doesnt sound too smart to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starcapone Posted October 2 Report Share Posted October 2 Originally posted by dnice35 Intellectuals? breaking windows and tossing smoke bombs doesnt sound too smart to me. I'm not looking at the fact windows were broken, etc. I'm more focused on the reason why they went to DC. Capitalism makes the rich richer and the poor poorer to poorest. Though there are advantages & disadvantages to each market system. They're intellectuals for having the guts to march and protest against injustice and bringing this fact into the open. Not like that will change anything, it's the thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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