It will be interesting to see how the Capitol Police "handle" this one.

[Fair Use: For Education and Research Purpose Only]

WTO Protesters Eye the Capital

By Rebecca Sinderbrand

Associated Press Writer

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000; 8:31 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON  Many of the same activists who protested World Trade Organization talks in Seattle last year have picked a new venue for mass demonstrations  this time, within shouting distance of the White House.

Organizers say they expect several thousand people to participate in 10 days of events set to coincide with the April meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. "We are taking off from where Seattle left off," said organizer Deborah Rephan.

More than 100 groups are planning activities, ranging from educational puppet shows to full-blown protests. Many are also planning civil disturbances in other cities nationwide and overseas.

Organizers say Seattle was merely a "coming-out party." Hundreds of activists are attending "nonviolence training seminars" to prepare, said organizer Juliette Beck.

Meanwhile, a task force of D.C.-based law enforcement agencies has been meeting for several weeks to "share intelligence and planning," said Lt. Dan Nichols of the U.S. Capitol Police.

The task force includes the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police, Capitol Police and other law enforcement organizations, said Nichols. "We had (Capitol Police) agents in Seattle," and saw what went wrong when that city faced a similar challenge.

In November, swarms of demonstrators kept WTO officials and other dignitaries from entering the Seattle convention center where discussions on a new round of global trade talks were being held.

Many of those in town to attend the talks were unable to leave their hotels, and opening ceremonies were canceled. Most of the protests were peaceful, but downtown Seattle suffered millions of dollars in property damage. Police eventually moved in with rubber bullets and tear gas.

When the meeting ended three days later, demonstrators claimed victory.

Nichols said D.C. authorities may have an advantage over their counterparts in Seattle, however, because capital officials have much experience with large events.

"We will respect the protesters' First Amendment rights, but we will not tolerate any kind of disruptive activity," he said. ) Copyright 2000 The Associated Press

-- Lucy (lifeisgoodhere@webtv.net), February 25, 2000