Riots and protests in DC

[baba]

Wow...folks are in town to protest the IMF and World Bank.

I heard the protesting in DC had started this morning about a block from my work. Walked down there and they were filling up 3 city buses full of protesters. Some tear gas went off. There were at least a hundred riot cops. Cops on horses, motorcycles. 65 got arrested on that corner for rioting. They broke the windows of a City Bank. They told us we would be arrested if we stepped off the curb. Apparently they started big tire fires in other parts of the city. I heard another 21 were arrested on Independence and 14th. It's kind of surreal out there....you see it on tv, but when you're in the middle of it there's a wierd energy going on. I just hope a bunch of people with no rhythm don't try to make a drum circle...I used to see this in San Francisco all the time.

 

[superfreak]

please forgive my lack of knowlege, but could you explain why they were rioting?

 

[Peter McFerrin]

Originally posted by superfreak
please forgive my lack of knowlege, but could you explain why they were rioting?

Annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank committees.

I know some people involved in the organization of the "quarantine." They tend to get quiet really quickly when I point out that the time and money they're wasting on protesting ostensibly for the rights of people overseas, who they'll never meet, could go to much more effective use enacting changes in local laws in their hometowns.

 

[SMASH]

a hearty "AMEN" to you Peter.


"Domestic Policy is for squares. We need another minority in Congress and as long as he plays ball who cares? Don't let some little riots throw you, we're millionaires!"

- Warrior Soul, "The Party"

 

[DanNowhere]

These incidents always make me wonder how many are actually there because they believe in a cause, and how many are there just to break stuff?

 

[Peter McFerrin]

Originally posted by DanNowhere
These incidents always make me wonder how many are actually there because they believe in a cause, and how many are there just to break stuff?

There's a third category: guys who are there to get laid with idealistic, slutty hippie chicks.

 

[Fetch Da bass]

And I can hear the drum circles now! there's like 100 different groups protesting a 1,000 different issues or something like that...... But if you bring your drum (bongos) you get a universal pass to protest everything..... yea! and what Peter said!!

 

[rjg]

Well, living in anarchy central, I'd have to say way too many of them are there just to create trouble. The anarchists around here are often rebels without a clue. The fact that they actually have a president is definitely a sign they're not too sure what they're on about.

 

[jasonbraatz]

Originally posted by rjg
Well, living in anarchy central, I'd have to say way too many of them are there just to create trouble. The anarchists around here are often rebels without a clue. The fact that they actually have a president is definitely a sign they're not too sure what they're on about.

sounds like Madison, Wisconsin.


Invalid Link Removed

read that, it's very very true.

 

[SMASH]

Originally posted by DanNowhere
These incidents always make me wonder how many are actually there because they believe in a cause, and how many are there just to break stuff?

Problems is, you could easily be talking about the politicians.

 

[DanNowhere]

Originally posted by SMASH



Problems is, you could easily be talking about the politicians.

Good point. I think Peter's third category could apply here as well.

 

[Oliphaunt]

I don't think those riots are effective. They hardly shut down the people they are trying to affect, while they block traffic and hurt the business of everyday workers like small restaurant owners. (believe me, DC is chock full of small restaurants) Everyone has to take the metro to get to work, and, as a result, the metro is terribly overcrowded, the trains are filled beyond capacity, and the stations are filled with crowds trying to get near the tracks because if they leave they won't catch the next train.

 

[AllodoX]

I 100 % agree with what they are protesting for, but there are other ways to make yourself heard.