Violence Erupts at Protest in Georgetown

Despite the large contingent of officers on scooters and bicycles who flanked and followed the 200 to 300 protesters, violent incidents broke out. A woman bled after being struck in the face with what police said was a flying brick.

Trash cans were overturned in the rain-dampened streets, objects were thrown, and newspaper boxes were overturned. Two protesters were arrested in connection with an incident in which an officer was pushed from a scooter, Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said.

Many store windows were boarded up in anticipation of the demonstration, which targeted the meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, but two unprotected windows were struck near Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. It was not clear whether they were broken.

In previous years, demonstrations had focused on the institutions' headquarters just west of the White House. But Rusty Shakkleford, 18, said protesters went to Georgetown, in addition to the traditional sites, because it was where the delegates dined and stayed. "We're just here to tell them the American people will not let them exploit the Third World community," Shakkleford said.

About 10:30 p.m., demonstrators and police confronted each other near 29th and M streets, where an order to disperse was given. It appeared that most or all of the demonstrators were complying with the order.

Earlier yesterday, the demonstrators rallied outside the headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to condemn U.S. economic and immigration policies.

Chanting, "No justice, no peace!" to the beat of a makeshift drum, about 100 activists crowded the sidewalk outside the agency's I Street complex about noon. 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.

The demonstration was observed by a dozen District police officers in white riot helmets as well as knots of construction workers building a high-rise across the street.

Demonstrators plan another march today aimed directly at the bank and the IMF. It is slated to start at 12:30 p.m. in Franklin Park, 14th and I streets NW, and end at 3 p.m. in Edward R. Murrow Park, 18th and H streets NW, adjacent to the World Bank. Numerous street closings will be in effect.

Assistant Police Chief Patrick Burke, head of the homeland security bureau, said he has many extra officers on the streets to handle the protests.

"People are allowed to peaceably assemble. That's part of living in America," Burke said. "In the event they plan to get violent or do damage to property, we are well prepared to deal with that scenario."