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

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

[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.

[tomkat]

nonono !

'dinner' is this evening
'luncheon' is what you're off to ...

[mr.sarcastic]

where do their clothes come from?

Not the Gap.

One word: Hemp. Like...you can smoke it AND wear it, dude.

Although clearly the brain damage being displayed is caused by something far more potent.

[BlueLancer]

" Traffic report said there were burning tires in the road on MacArthur Boulevard"

Well, that's really environmentally-friendly, isn't it?

[VaMarVet]

Can't wait to see you guys again - be ready for a hug (you and B - not Kristinn, LP and JVB)

[AGreatPer]

I do get a kick out of ABC radio news on the hour. At 1:00 PM they said "Over 500 protesters have been arrested". At 2:00 PM they said "Up to 500 protesters.....". Make up your mind you idiots.......ABC.

[FreeTheHostages]

I'm hearing a lot of sirens outside right now.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I've heard that a lot of bikes, and even clothing, come from China, the biggest communist country on earth."

I've heard that the crushing of oats inherent in the creation of Cheerios--a kucklos-shaped cereal product--is MURDER!!!

Plants Rights!!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"Make up your mind you idiots..."

You talkin'to ME?!! Or Angelwood?

LOL...MUD

[VaMarVet]

Just got off the phone with FTH and FReepmail with Aske15 - they will provide FR with a live thread update as we call in reports tomorrow - could you guys coordinate on who will start the thread (approx 1030)? This way we have two posters and those on the ground will have at least two callers to phone into - this should be better than previous efforts as the thread can stay lively and get more than one perspective from those on-site.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks guys for coordinating the comms tomorrow. I'll be tuning in.

[VaMarVet]

Looks like you guys are co-anchors for the FR live news updates - okay with you? My thoughts are that each of you will have one or two FReepers on site that will call in with updates. Phone numbers are close-hold so do not worry. I think this set-up may offer a continuous and varied perspective on tomorrow's events.

[LetsRok]

How do these "protestors" expect to get a job when they grow up? No self respecting company will hire these idiots if they have a criminal record. I wouldn't.

[Askel5]

I think dueling banjos will make for a lively thread!

Looking forward to helping out.

[AGreatPer]

"You talkin'to ME?!! Or Angelwood?'

It is just the inconsistancy of ABC drives me nuts. They are the idiots.

Sorry I won't be able to make it tomorrow and best of luck to all. Happy Anniversary!!

[VaMarVet]

Ditto - and thanks - nice talking to you - putting a voice (or face) to screen names is great!

[Mudboy Slim]

"I won't be able to make it tomorrow..."

I'm sorry, too...we'll miss you, my FRiend...MUD

[VaMarVet]

Hey Slim - will be there with bells on (figuratively speaking) - see you tomorrow.

[Angelwood]

NEWS UPDATE:

I don't have Drudge's way with blinking sirens, darn!

Anyway, I have returned from a two-hour foray throughout the city accompanied by ned 13. We met at 18th and I to check out the situation closer to the World Bank and the hot areas that were filled with protesters two years ago.

I saw two bandana-wearing people on the way and we saw a total of about two-dozen between us in more than an hour.

As we stood on the corner of Pennsylvania and 19th Street, we saw a construction site which was basically a big hole in the ground surrounded by fences. Ned13 said the construction company moved out the cranes and heavy equipment in anticipation of the protests -- we're talking big bucks lost because of the protesters. There were metal barricades and people barricades blocking access to 19th Street in front of the World Bank area. The remaining streets had light traffic.

The TV news trucks were set up on both sides of Pennsylvania and there were tents set up to cover equipment and personnel for on-the-scene reporting and interviews. A park area between Pennsylvania and H (I may be wrong on the street name) had movable fencing around it and policemen were stationed at intervals around the perimeter. We saw about 15 protesters sitting in the park.

Lots of people came out to see the protesters, but the protesters were really nowhere to be seen. Police helicopters kept flying overhead. I heard the fighter jet when it passed over. There was an ambulance inside the blocked street area and there were a number of buses escorted inside the barricades while we stood on the corner. We couldn't see inside the buses to determine whether the people inside were reinforcements from the police department or arrested protesters.

When it was obvious that the protesters and action were elsewhere, we began walking toward 15th and Pennsylvania and Pershing Park. We had heard that the protesters were penned up in that area. We got as far as 17th and Pennsylvania when the Secret Service came out to block off the street in front of the Old Executive Office Building and Blair House across the street. One of the officers mentioned Blair House, so I'm not sure if there was a dignitary inside and they were closing the street for protection.

We walked around the block and were able to cut through Lafayette Park and walk to the front of the White House. The street was a staging area for the rest of the city. It was filled with cars, paddy wagons, trucks with supplies, numerous horse trailors filled with the Park Service Horse Brigade. There was even a black armored vehicle with a bright blue stripe on the side labeled "Police Rescue."

We stopped to talk to Don at one of the ongoing protests in Lafayette Park. He informed us that someone had just reported that the protest permit at Freedom Plaza had just been revoked. We continued on and met Kristinn on 15th Street. When we arrived at 15th and Pennsylvania, all was calm and peaceful without a protester to be seen.

We split up to go back to work. I did see some protesters finally. There were about 150 (generous estimate) gathered at Farragut Square near I Street listening to speeches and propaganda. The lower half of the park was filled with 50-60 motorcycle and bicycle policemen. I thanked them all for the job they are doing to protect the city and people today.