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.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...will be there with bells on (figuratively speaking)"

Uh hunh...you wearin' the same kilt as last time, my FRiend?!

FReegards...MUD

[michigander]

	A police officer and protestor square off in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 during a demonstration against the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 2:33 PM ET
	Police arrest a demonstrator who walked down the street naked during a protest against the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid - Sep 27 1:41 PM ET
	A demonstrator protesting the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings is arrested in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) - Sep 27 1:30 PM ET
	A protestor holds a "Help" sign as police surround demonstrators in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Demonstrators are in Washington to protest the International Monetary Fund-World bank meetings. (AP Photo/Kameno Pajic) - Sep 27 1:22 PM ET
	Washington D.C. police officers rush a group of protesters, September 27, 2002. The group was surrounded and then placed under arrest. This weekend marks the annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, an event that has been marked in recent years by thousands of protesters concerned about a variety of issues, ranging from the environment to human rights and the effects of globalization. Photo by Kevin Lamarque - Sep 27 1:11 PM ET
	With the Capitol in the background, demonstrators against the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings march in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Demonstrators chained themselves together, bicycled through downtown streets and rallied at downtown parks Friday as finance ministers began a weekend of meetings. About 500 protesters were arrested and one was slightly injured. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) - Sep 27 1:08 PM ET
	A demonstrator gestures towards police during a protest at the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Police arrested some 300 anti-globalization protesters, thwarting attempts to block city traffic during a Group of Seven meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by Gregg Newton/Reuters - Sep 27 1:05 PM ET
	A Washington D.C. police officer hauls a female commuter off her bicycle and drags her along the street early September 27, 2002. The cyclist accidentally turned into a street occupied by IMF protesters. At right, her boyfriend pleads with the officer to release her. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) - Sep 27 1:03 PM ET
	Demonstrators, protesting the International Monetary Fund World Bank meetings, are surrounded by police at a Washington park Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Demonstrators chained themselves together, bicycled through downtown streets and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. By mid-morning, about 500 people had been arrested, Police Chief Charles Ramsey said. (AP Photo/Kamenko Pajic) - Sep 27 1:08 PM ET
	Handcuffed protesters wait to be taken to jail as Washington D.C. police stand over them, September 27, 2002. This weekend marks the annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, an event that has been marked in recent years by clashes between police and thousands of protesters concerned about a variety of issues, ranging from the environment to human rights and the effects of globalization. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Sep 27 12:47 PM ET
	Washington police drag a group of demonstrators from the sidewalk as they protest the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Gregg Newton - Sep 27 12:38 PM ET
	Two Washington D.C. policemen sandwich a girl between their batons as police rush a group of protesters September 27, 2002. The group was surrounded and then placed under arrest. Police arrested more than 300 anti-globalization protesters on Friday morning, thwarting their attempts to blockade city traffic during a Group of Seven meeting in Washington, D.C. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Sep 27 12:37 PM ET
	A demonstrator is frisked as she is arrested during a protest against the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. Photo by Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters - Sep 27 11:58 AM ET
	Police carry away a demonstrator during a protest against the start of the annual IMF meetings in Washington, September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Gregg Newton - Sep 27 11:48 AM ET
	A protester faces off with Washington D.C. police officers, September 27, 2002. Groups of protesters converged on Washington to demonstrate as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank held their annual fall meetings in Washington. Photo by Gregg Newton/Reuters - Sep 27 11:21 AM ET
	Washington police walk down a street with a sign taken from demonstrators protesting the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid - Sep 27 10:48 AM ET
	People in a downtown hotel look out the window as a group of policemen walk by during street protests against the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - Sep 27 10:29 AM ET
	Police carry a protester to a waiting city bus after she was detained in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, during a demonstration as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) - Sep 27 10:21 AM ET
	Washington police stand near smoke from a flare thrown at them by demonstrators protesting the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Gregg Newton - Sep 27 10:15 AM ET
	Demonstrators arrested by police are loaded onto a bus after protestesting the start of the annual IMF meetings in Washington, September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Gregg Newton - Sep 27 10:02 AM ET
	Washington police drag a group of demonstrators from the street as they protest the start of the annual IMF meetings, in Washington September 27, 2002. Finance chiefs from the world's richest nations gathered in Washington under the shadow of war fears and spiraling oil prices to discuss how to keep a shaky global recovery on track. REUTERS/Gregg Newton - Sep 27 9:54 AM ET
	Police take a protester into custody in Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 as police and protestors clashed during a demonstration to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 9:37 AM ET
	A protestor waves a flag in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 during a demonstration in the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 9:37 AM ET
	A police officer detains a protestor in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Protesters chained themselves together, set tires on fire, and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday in an effort to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) - Sep 27 9:26 AM ET
	Police and protestors clash in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 during a demonstration to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 9:27 AM ET
	Police move protestors along in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Protesters chained themselves together, set tires on fire, and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday in an effort to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 9:20 AM ET
	A protester, who serves as a medic for demonstrators who are injured, looks up as emergency medical personnel arrive to help an injured protester during a demonstration in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Protesters chained themselves together, set tires on fire, and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday in an effort to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) - Sep 27 9:19 AM ET
	Washington D.C. police officers keep watch on protesters awaiting arrest, September 27, 2002. This weekend marks the annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, an event that has been marked in recent years by clashes between police and thousands of protesters concerned about a variety of issues, ranging from the environment to human rights and the effects of globalization. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Sep 27 9:16 AM ET
	Police disburse demonstrators in downtown Washington Friday, Sept. 27, 2002. Protesters chained themselves together, set tires on fire, and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday in an effort to shut down the nation's capital as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) - Sep 27 9:08 AM ET

[VaMarVet]

This is More Like It: FReepers Last September When the Unwashed Came to Town

[VaMarVet]

And One More From Last September: Serious Work - They Were Not going to Take Down the Flag at the Navy Memorial as They Did During the Inauguration!

[michigander]

When the Unwashed Came to Town

Speaking of unwashed, don't view the larger version of the second pic down in my reply. UGH!

[William McKinley]

See michigander's post. Skank.

[VaMarVet]

You warned me - obviously not a case of "rewarding your curiosity".

[Angelwood]

I'm looking forward to that hug tomorrow. Til then....

[FreeTheHostages]

OK. I'll start the thread at 10:15 a.m. I'll freepmail my cellphone number to you Dave. I'm kinda trusting that this going to work becuase we'll have 2 separate people live.

Please note I can also tune in to WTOP radio and provide you in the street with news intelligence that way too.

news alert to all: I just spoke to some cops I'm good friends with. people *are* being arrested for parading without a permit. that *is* occuring. So be sure to obey that law.

[FreeTheHostages]

Report from some well-placed police officer friends I bumped into on the street:

They've arrested about 700 so far. Some, such as those that broke the window, will be held in felony destruction charges and won't get out tomorrow.

About 300 of the arrests are just Corp Counsel charges for parading without a permit at Freedom Plaza: expect to see those people out tonight (if they can pay the $50 or $100 fine) or dribble out tomorrow during the day.

Most of the arrests are on charges were you can get yourself released by paying a small fine. So not all the troublemakers arrested today won't be on the streets tomorrow. note bene.

[FreeTheHostages]

"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"

Yup, I visited that hole too. All media, no protestors!

On my way home (an early day), I was talking to some cops I know on the north side of Dupont Circle when some protestors, a band of 12 or so, crossed the circle. one cop muttered, "see the bucket." the other said, "yeah I see it" the first cop says "he's carrying it light though" and they both stare at one protestor swinging a big and apparently empty bucket. I ask why they're talking about the bucket: they explain that buckets like that are used to carry rocks, which are used to throw at cops.

great, nice people, huh?

if you guys see some protestors with buckets, that's NOT a good thing

[FreeTheHostages]

"There were about 150 (generous estimate) gathered at Farragut Square near I Street listening to speeches and propaganda."

Those were the Anti-Capitalist Convergence crowd. They called a 1 p.m. press conference at Farragut North.

[FreeTheHostages]

Pizza.

Dave's got my cellphone. If you guys want pizza and soda afterward, call ahead, tell me how many are coming, I'll order some Domino's pizza thin crust and soda, and I'll feed y'all. I'm right on the red line, Dupont Circle.

[AppyPappy]

Why don't they haul these people to Front Royal and process/release them?

[Registered]

Did Chief Ramsey discover any more Chandra Levy bones during the protests?

[Godebert]

"Speaking of unwashed, don't view the larger version of the second pic down in my reply. UGH!"

Too late. BTW....is that a naked man or a naked woman?

[michigander]

BTW....is that a naked man or a naked woman?

It's Pat! :-)

[FreeTheHostages]

They're doing the equivalent, Appy, of hauling them to front royal.

The protestors who have been arrested, just shy of 700 so far, are in Southwest DC at the police academy.

Some of them will be there for quite a while because they're refusing to give their names. That means that they get fingerprinted and run through NCIC database of the FBI, and that all takes time. They probably won't be out until late tomorrow if they play that way.

others, who are charged merely with failure to obey, may be out tonight. but there are so many of them, and the police, I'm sure you can understand, are a little understaffed at the police academy holding center, so it may take some time to process them right now.

so they'll just be dribbling out tonight

[FreeTheHostages]

Registered, you mentioned Chief Ramsey.

I just saw him speak on the local news and WOW! what a different chief he was. He was tough:

He said these guys are parading without a permit, they're doing to be arrested, sure we warned them but we don't want to hear any crap about how they didn't hear the warning, they had no business to begin with parading in the middle of the street without a permit, that's just illegal. he was very firm about it

when the chief travelled through the city today, he had security close by. for the purposes of this protest, Chief Ramsey is showing a tougher side to his personality

again, I can't emphasize enough: make sure you guys have your permit squared away. That, and not injunctive action, is the final police strategy that was settled on, and it's now revealed. They're going to arrest on every non-permitted parade and they may not warn ahead of time.

[FreeTheHostages]

For those out of towners, a little weather context:

It's been drizzling all day, suddenly a bit of blue sky now, but severe thunderstorms possible between now and midnight. So the city should be pretty calm tonight.

Tomorrow it's going to be nice and blue skies.