Protests continue in Washington
Protesters clashed with police
Police in Washington detained hundreds of protesters who are disrupting the final day of talks between world financial leaders. About 5,000 gathered behind police barricades close to the buildings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, where the talks have been taking place. The US Government shut down many of its Washington offices ahead of another day of demonstrations aimed at disrupting the IMF and World Bank meetings. Only emergency workers were asked to report to work in a large area surrounding the two financial institutions.
Police have fired tear gas and pepper spray to break up demonstrations, which are aimed at disrupting the final day of talks between world financial leaders. About 100 protesters were near the International Monetary Fund and World Bank buildings, which are a few blocks from the White House, when world financial leaders began a meeting two hours ahead of schedule to avoid the demonstrations.
There were violent clashes between protesters and the police yesterday. The IMF meeting went ahead last night, despite efforts by thousands of demonstrators to disrupt it. The protestors are opposed to the IMF's policies, which they view as neglectful of the poor and harmful to the environment. The demonstrators formed a human chain blocking access to the IMF building, in what was a mainly peaceful protest.
However, a separate group of about 300 protestors clashed with police when they tried to pull down a barricade near the White House. The police responded with batons and tier gas. Many of the conference delegates managed to by-pass the crowds by arriving early, while the police also managed to keep an access route open. The Head of the World Trade Organisation, Michael Moore, said that the protestors were mistaken in blaming the World Bank for problems of global poverty.
Turkish police have arrested up to 50 students who are also protesting against the IMF and the World Bank. Dozens of students gathered outside university buildings in Istanbul. Police in riot gear broke up the demonstration and took some 50 protesters into custody following a brief scuffle. Others fled the scene into narrow streets. The Turkish government is implementing a 3-year $4bn IMF-backed programme to drastically reduce inflation and make key structural reforms. The World Bank is scheduled to discuss a $750m economic loan package with Turkey in support of the IMF programme.
