DC Chapter On-Scene Reports: Anti-Capitalist Protesters Arrested - 9/27/02

DC Chapter and Working Capitalists | September 27, 2002 | Angelwood

[Angelwood]

There are still police vans set up on the street outside my office building and the sounds of sirens can be heard periodically.

[farmfriend]

Once again, DC chapter and Fresno chapter allowed to stay in breaking news while the time sensitive NorCal-Capitol Area chapter gets pushed into Announcements.

[Angelwood]

NEWS UPDATE:

A group of the protesters were stringing a rope across 16th Street around Q Street -- where unsuspecting motorcyclists running into it could be killed or seriously injured.

Some residents in the area went outside to confront the protesters and cut the rope down. They chased the protesters away. As the protesters screamed, "We're nonviolent," the residents responded by saying, "We are!"

More news later....

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the eyewitness reporting girlfriend!

It's disperse....

[hottomale]

Excuse my ignorance,but what is an anti-capitalist.

[aristeides]

Not just motorcyclists, I would think (and pizza is delivered on motorscooter in D.C., by the way,) but I wouldn't think hitting that rope would be very healthy for all the messengers on bikes either.

Of course, those guys think nothing of going on the sidewalk. Did the rope block off the sidewalks too?

By the way, although a lot of the donkey and elephant sculptures were removed a few days ago in anticipation of the demonstrations, the last time I looked (two days ago) the donkey at the southwest corner of N and Connecticut was still there. Ironic, in view of the fact that these guys rallied in that part of town.

[Mudboy Slim]

"No Tear Gas Necessary...We're Conservatives"

FReegards...MUD

[Angelwood]

Eyewitness reports are on the run and typos are regretful. Thanks for using small print.

[Lil'freeper]

You guys stay safe!

[Mudboy Slim]

"...what is an anti-capitalist."

A Socialist...MUD

[ned13]

I'm right across the street from the World Bank/IMF. I've taken two walks around and nothing is happening here yet. I'll keep you guys posted!

[YaYa123]

I didn't realize your office was so close to the demonstration I watched on tv this morning. The crowd looked embarrassingly small...do you think this half-hearted protest was designed to get police guard down for later engagements?

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[blau993]

I drove into DC from Annapolis early this morning. Traffic was very light, and the commute was a breeze. Clearly many people either stayed home or decided to use Metro. Traffic report said there were burning tires in the road on MacArthur Boulevard, and at one point they blocked the 14th Street Bridge, which is bad news for folks trying to get in from Virginia.

Big police presence, including mounted police, at Franklin Square (between I and K Streets and 13th and 14th Streets) at about 7:30AM. Police in full riot gear on K Street, particularly in front of buildings with big plate glass windows on the ground floor.

My office is at 18th and I Street, not far from the World Bank headquarters. Things are pretty quiet, though sirens in the distance have been pretty constant.

Drove my SUV today instead of my usual ride. Figured the 4 wheel drive might come in handy if they decided to block the street. Seriously, though, the DC police seem to have this under control. Serious high fives for those guys and gals.

[jodorowsky]

DINNER.

[Guna]

Another report from DC.

I arrived for work at 7:00 am this morning and got off at Union Station, where, as per the washington post, thousands of protesters on bikes were supposed to gather at 7:30 am.

I saw a bedraggled kid or two, but nothing that would indicate the anti capitalists were massing. The DC police were there in HUGE numbers. They also had about 40 white bikes all lined up in a neat row, in case of trouble, I guess.

I must say, the DC police did a magnificent job during the last IMF protest and appear to be doing well this time also.

Local news here keeps expecting huge, massive traffic jams to be caused any minute now, but rush hour is well over.

From this perspective (on Constitution Ave by the Capitol Bldg, where nothing is slated to happen), it is just another day.

HAH !

[nina0113]

My office is at 18th & K & we're closed today - I'm typing this from home, watching the protests on TV. Looks pretty tame compared to past years.

[adam stevens]

Radical Left Watch Ping!

I have begun a Ping list to keep track of the Radical Left. If you are interested in joining or have found a relevant story drop me a line.

The personal flag of George Washington during the Revolutionary War

[stand watie]

!

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

All quiet in SE. Drove down Georgia Avenue this AM no action.