October Rebellion was the collective name for the series of protest events surrounding the fall 2007 meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on October 19-20, 2007 in Washington, DC. The events were organized by the October Coalition.
Demonstration at Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Early in the day on October 19, an estimated 100 activists demonstrated outside the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. Demonstrators had assembled to express a critical view of the economic and immigration policies of the United States, while chanting, "No justice, no peace!" According to The Washington Post, "They said that much immigration to the United States was the result of harsh overseas economic policies on the part of the government, the World Bank and the IMF."[1]
Georgetown march
The October Coalition called for "disruptive actions throughout Georgetown," in a march starting at 9:00 PM on October 19 from Washington Circle in Foggy Bottom. In explaining their selectiong of Georgetown for a march, organizers stated on their Web site, "Georgetown, Washington's seat of power, is a playground for the rich. Its residents possess enormous wealth at the expense of the poor majority who live so close to them. They live so close, yet a world away, hidden in plain sight. Georgetown embodies neoliberalism. Georgetown is neoliberalism."[2][3] A demonstrator at the event described the reason for going to Georgetown as being where the delegates were staying.[1] Prior to the march, the organizers did not outline what specific actions would be taken,[4] nor did they indicate whether or not the group would carry weapons,[5] but encouraged participants to use "creativity" and a "diversity of tactics". According to The Hoya, it was suggested that 30th and M Streets NW would be a preliminary destination.[6]
The night before the march, officials at Georgetown University issued a safety alert, indicating that the demonstration was expected to occur between 6 PM and 11 PM, and was expected to end in Georgetown's commercial district. The university advised its students to avoid the area, citing an expectation of traffic delays and road closures.[6]
According to Josh Aldiva, an officer in the Second District of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, there would be an increased police presence throughout the entire city, with no extra precautions taken in Georgetown beyond those being taken throughout the city, while recalling that in the past, protest activity surrounding the World Bank and IMF were mostly peaceful.[6]
At the appointed time, an estimated 200 to 300 demonstrators, many wearing the black clothing and masks characteristic of a black bloc, gathered at Washington Circle before departing with a heavy police escort for Georgetown, via Pennsylvania Avenue and M Street NW. The march turned north at Wisconsin Avenue, before reversing course and returning to M Street. Over the course of the march, newspaper boxes were overturned, objects were thrown, and trash cans were knocked over. Many storefronts were boarded in anticipation of the march. However, two unboarded windows were broken at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. Two arrests were made, related to an incident where an officer was pushed from a scooter.[1]
The event was marred by an accident involving a female bystander, who was walking with a group of friends when she was struck in the forehead[7] by a brick thrown by a demonstrator.[1] The woman was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment following the incident.[7]
The Georgetown march ended at approximately 10:30 PM, when, at 29th and M Streets, police ordered the demonstrators to disperse. Most complied with the order.[1]
March to the World Bank
On October 20, 2007, approximately 500 demonstrators gathered at Franklin Square for a rally and march to the World Bank headquarters at 18th and H Streets. The group consisted of a mix of people, including students, community activists, as well as anarchists dressed for a black bloc.[8]
The protest was peaceful, with the exception of an incident in Murrow Park, across the street from the World Bank, where several demonstrators charged the line of police as a group of finance ministers arrived and crossed the police lines for mid-afternoon meetings.[9] Police quickly came in carrying batons and shoving demonstrators,[8] which sent some people running.[9] However, according to one demonstrator, Bob Exe, demonstrators had never charged the line of police, but that "some pushing" may have occurred.[8]
Following the scuffle with police, the
References
- ^ a b c d e "Violence Erupts at Protest in Georgetown". The Washington Post. October 20, 2007. p. B01. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Georgetown". October Coalition. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ "Washington anti-globalization demo erupts". Forbes/AFX News Limited. October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Grass, Michael (October 9, 2007). "Georgetown Targeted for 'October Rebellion'". Express. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "'October Rebellion' targets tony Georgetown". The Washington Times. October 18, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Myers, Yoshi (October 19, 2007). "GU Urges Caution During Labor Protest". The Hoya. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Demonstration Downtown, Protesters March". WTOP-FM. October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Sheridan, Mary Beth (October 21, 2007). "Scuffle but No Arrests at Protest". The Washington Post. p. C03. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "IMF & World Bank Protesters Hit D.C." WJLA-TV. October 21, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
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Further reading
- "World Bank and IMF face criticism". Al Jazeera. October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
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Mainstream march
External links