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World Bank protesters vow to disrupt D.C.
usatoday.com -- Anti-capitalist protesters are threatening to shut down the nation's capital Friday, but police and employers vowed the city would remain open for business as usual.

Friday's demonstrations will be the opening salvo of protests against policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund during their annual meeting. Police have raised concerns that the protests could provide cover for terrorists, block evacuation routes and hinder emergency workers, but they say they're prepared.

Thousands are expected at the protests, which officials say could be the most disruptive since April 2000, when police arrested about 1,300 demonstrators at the World Bank.

Protesters plan a variety of actions, from teach-ins to civil disobedience. Debt relief for developing countries is among their demands.

On Friday, a group calling itself the Anti-Capitalist Convergence plans to disrupt morning rush-hour traffic with a mass bicycle ride and demonstrations at intersections leading into the city.

''We're protesting global capitalism,'' said Rae Valentine, a member of the group. ''We're going to shut down Washington, D.C., for the day.''

Washington police, backed by about 1,700 law enforcement officers from 24 agencies, have warned commuters to expect ''extreme delays''

Police have also raised concerns about a Web site that posts an ''Anti-Capitalist Target List'' of businesses, including McDonald's and Starbucks.

The target list should not be taken seriously, Valentine said. He also said police are using worries about terrorism to crack down on legitimate protest.

''They're using Sept. 11, a tragedy from a year ago, to criminalize dissent,'' Valentine said.

Police insist they're taking necessary precautions.

''We are gearing up for a mass demonstration by people who've promised disruption,'' said Sgt. Joe Gentile, a Washington police spokesman.

Business leaders are urging employees to work from home or use public transportation Friday.

Bob Peck, president of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the region's chamber of commerce, said business will go on.

''The Washington area is used to these kind of protests,'' he said.

Not all the protests are aimed at disruption. Organizers for one of the weekend's largest demonstrations have received a permit to hold it near the Washington Monument on Saturday.

''Our message is firmly rooted in non-violence,'' said Kate Loewe of the Mobilization for Global Justice.

''We want to help Americans understand the effects of this epidemic of corporate greed.''

posted by West 8:41 AM