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Two stories about the World Bank/IMF protests today. One for background. The other from this afternoon about a clash with protesters and police.
Story One – Background:
Guardian UK: A detailed article (perhaps a little too accepting of the government line on the economy: here. “G7 finance chiefs predict recovery from economic crisis will begin this year“, by Larry Elliott and Heather Stewart in Washington on Friday 24 April 2009.
Story Two – Update from the ground:
(excerpt from) “The Caucus” blog at The New York Times
The Police and Protesters Clash at World Bank Headquarters
By Janie Lorber / April 25, 2009
What started out as a peaceful rally against the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on Saturday morning turned ugly as the police in Washington sought to contain a group of about 150 protesters.
The demonstrations had intended to disrupt the agencies’ annual spring meetings this weekend, but a fight broke out when activists, trying to take a second lap in front of World Bank headquarters, flooded through a police line.
“We were attacked,” said Alex Niculescu, 19, a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, who said he had attended four similar rallies. “They literally just pushed up against us with their batons and started choking us. No warning for dispersal, no warning for pepper spray.”
The police used batons to steer protesters from the building and up against a park fence. Several protesters said they were trampled, and at least one was taken away in an ambulance after injuring his leg.
Amid the confusion, it was not immediately clear who unleashed the pepper spray…
Filed under: activism, economy, international politics, News, politics, progressive politics, social & economic justice, US Politics Tagged: | Demonstration, economic crisis, G7, IMF, protesters, World Bank
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