Battle of Seattle, the Sequel: Thousands Flock to Washington to Protest IMF and World Bank

Tens of thousands of protesters from various organizations, including trade unionists and anti-corporate activists, have begun to arrive in Washington ahead of next weekend's spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The protesters aim to shut down the meetings, echoing the massive protests in Seattle last December against the World Trade Organisation (WTO). They are led by the Mobilisation for Global Justice, which emphasizes a peaceful approach, including marches, traffic blockades, and banner-hanging. The protests are expected to draw thousands, mirroring the Seattle events that sparked vandalism, running battles, and police responses.

Key Takeaways:

• The protesters aim to shut down the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, mirroring the Seattle protests against the WTO last December.
• The Mobilisation for Global Justice is leading the protests, emphasizing peaceful demonstrations, including marches, traffic blockades, and banner-hanging.
• Organizers have distanced themselves from the violence in Seattle, but the Washington police chief, Charles Ramsey, remains cautious, citing the protesters' history.
• The protesters claim the IMF, WTO, and World Bank force countries to restructure economies in favor of corporate interests at the expense of the poor.
• The Seattle protests resulted in vandalism, running battles, and police responses, including teargas assaults in riot gear.
• The protests aim to address complaints about the alleged pro-corporate bias of the IMF, WTO, and World Bank.
• The events are expected to draw thousands of participants, with Washington's police chief, Charles Ramsey, expressing hope for a peaceful outcome.

Statistics:

• The number of protesters expected to attend the events in Washington is in the thousands.
• The Seattle protests in December 1999 resulted in vandalism, running battles, and police responses.
• Teargas were used by police in response to the protests in Seattle.
• The anti-corporate activists and trade unionists leading the protests claim the IMF, WTO, and World Bank force countries to restructure economies in favor of corporate interests.

Sources:

• The Times, "Battle of Seattle, the Sequel: Thousands Flock to Washington to Protest IMF and World Bank" (2000)
• No date or publication date provided in the original text.