WASHINGTON - A weekend of demonstrations against this weekend's World Bank and IMF meetings began mid-day with what was called a 5k Run on the Banks. Much of downtown Washington has parking restrictions and road closings because of security related to the meetings.

A small group of protesters ran from Malcolm X Park in Columbia Heights through downtown Washington to voice their concerns about the policies of the two international organizations.

"The IMF and World Bank's failed policies don't work and the last thing that the G20 needs to be doing right now to try to address the economic crisis is actually giving the IMF another 1.1 trillion dollars," said Lacey MacAuley, one of the protesters.

At many points during the day the police outnumbered the protesters. The protest was a far cry from the scene nine years ago, when thousands of people converged on the District for the meeting. Two years ago, a demonstration in Georgetown resulted in one woman being injured and the destruction of property.

"It's not near the amount of violence that we saw in the early parts of [this decade], right after the WTO protest in Seattle and the IMF/World Bank protest here," said MPD Capt. Jeffrey Herrold.

Friday's participants blame low turnout on protest fatigue.

"We're not seeing the number that we once did for the cause but I think we will again," said protester Daniel Meltzer. "I think there will be an explosion of populist outrage."

Dozens of protests are planned through the weekend, as the world's financial leaders meet under tight security. Protesters plan to continue their efforts to speak out against their policies.

"I think we should build a better world and I think its not like up to the politicians to do that, it's up to us," Dylan Petrohils said.

Protesters from Global Justice Action are expected to be the first group to gather outside the World Bank at 18th and H Street NW. The group says they are opposed to the failed policies of World Bank and the IMF which, they say, hurt developing nations. They are calling for citizens to disrupt the meetings through non-violent action, though they also say they have "civil disobedience" actions planned in addition to their rallies.

Meanwhile, at the conference, the IMF and World Bank officials are seeking to resolve differences over the best approach to take to combat the current economic slide and pledging new resources to fight the worst global downturn since the Great Depression. They're also warning the crisis is far from over.

Street Closures

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2009, the following streets surrounding the IMF/World Bank will be closed to vehicular traffic: 18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue 19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue 20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street

Parking Restrictions

No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009: 18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue 19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue 20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 7 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009: 600 block of 18th Street, NW 600 block of 19th Street, NW 600 block of 20th Street, NW 2000 block of H Street, NW 1700 block of G Street, NW 2000 block of G Street, NW

IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn says the world economy could recover in the first half of 2010 if the right policies are put in place.

At meetings today, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will outline steps the Obama administration is taking to clean up the U.S. banking system.

A leading component in that effort is the "stress tests" regulators are conducting on 19 of the nation's largest banks.

For those concerned about getting around the city this weekend, the Metropolitan Police Department (web | news) has provided the following information regarding street closures and parking restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 Email To Friend