This weekend, an estimated 20,000 activists will descend upon the Washington area to demonstrate against meetings of the IMF and the World Bank. Like other protests in the last few years, these will be loosely organized gatherings of protesters ranging from union workers to anarchists. Most of the demonstrators come to peaceably protest and get their messages of dissension out to the masses, but there is always a minority that feels there must be a violent confrontation in order for their point to be made.
According to the Washington Times, among the groups promoting violent direct action is the activist group Fighting the Octopus/Global Action Against Capitalism. The group has posted an “anarchist scavenger hunt” at www.infoshop.org, awarding “points” for destroying property and assaulting corporate executives or police officers. Protesters like these are promoting violence for its own sake and lack any comprehensive argument against the institutions they seek to destroy. People who protest simply to protest, or because it might seem trendy, only damage the legitimacy of those who want to affect real change. Unfortunately for peaceful demonstrators, the violence incited by groups like Fighting the Octopus/Global Action Against Capitalism will become the story of the week instead of their actual grievances.
During the April 2000 IMF and World Bank protests, 1,200 demonstrators were arrested in the District. This history of violence will follow the demonstrators as they come to the IMF and World Bank headquarters in Foggy Bottom this weekend. Images of clashes with police, property damage and riots have become associated with the anti-globalization movement. It will take dedication among demonstrators and organizers to remove this tainted image.
If we disagree with the policies of the World Bank and the IMF, it is our right as citizens to have our voices heard, but not at the expense of the rights of others. The bottom line is, violence is counterproductive to the purpose of these protests. The owner of the McDonald’s that has its windows broken and the police officers who get attacked are not a part of the larger problem. Harming them will not help to get a message out to the public. The message will only be lost amidst the images of police in riot gear and clouds of tear gas.
