Posted on 09/27/2002 8:15:31 AM PDT by Angelwood
A rally was held this morning at Dupont Circle by some of the anti-capitalist protesters inundating DC today. After the rally, the group began walking peacefully on Connecticut Avenue toward Farragut Square at 18th and K Streets, N.W.
When the group reached the block between L and K Streets, they stopped. Some of the protesters formed smaller groups to walk in circles at the four corners of the intersections, while others decided to drop down to the ground (execute a die-in) at the midpoint of the block in front of the Greater Atlantic Bank.
I spoke to an undercover officer at our vantage point across the street from the action. He told me that the group chanted while marching in the street: LESS BANK, MORE WORLD then MORE WORLD, LESS BANK, etc. The protesters were given opportunities to maintain a peaceful walk, but some of them decided to drop to the ground in front of the bank anyway. After warnings, those who came to be arrested were arrested.
The police, led by Chief Ramsey, were prepared and loaded up a Metro bus with protesters. While police in full riot gear stood in the intersections and around the perimeter area, the loaded bus was escorted to its destination by a number of police cars and 17 motorcycle policemen.
News photographers and cameramen took up a position in the middle of the street to film the protesters as the bus pulled out. One protester pressed his/her cuffed hands against the window, while another young girl with bandana stood smiling for the cameras.
The officer standing next to me pointed out a guy across the street wearing a bright green baseball cap. He said the "green hats" were the protesters' legal advisers. When asked what would happen to those arrested, he was not sure what they would be charged with or what the disposition would be. Hopefully, they won't be back on the streets in time to cause more trouble today or tomorrow.
After the arrested protesters were taken away and the others moved on to their next encounter, the crowd disbursed.
nutmeg & zelig
free the south,sw
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