World Bank and IMF See “Eight Protestors” in Washington, DC
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank met this weekend at the World Bank in Washington, DC.
Police cordoned off streets and sidewalks for several blocks around the IMF and World Bank buildings just blocks from the White House, expecting hundreds of protestors, if not thousands.
Surprisingly, when I walked by the bank yesterday around noon, the streets were empty of protestors, even with the current financial meltdown.
I asked one of the many police officers manning a pedestrian barricade if there were any protestors. He replied sarcastically, “Yes, there were eight on Saturday.”
During previous summits, protestor turnout was much larger. Last year, a small group of about 100 protestors turned violent in Georgetown and near the World Bank when they clashed with police.
This year, other than the heavy police presence, you couldn’t tell there was a major economic meeting in progress. The only exception this weekend was a small reported group of a few clean energy protestors.
Images – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti __________________________________________________
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