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Police harassment has yet to reach a fevered pitch

September 28, 2001 Washington DC, Anti-capitalist activists continue to arrive to protest U.S. plans to pull the world into a war of indefinite length and unspecified enemy. A planned march for September 29 is intended to educate the public that the problem of Terrorism and a response with war are symptoms of deeper systematic problems not addressed in the responses of leaders and the coverage of the media.
September 28, 2001 Washington DC, Anti-capitalist activists continue to arrive to protest U.S. plans to pull the world into a war of indefinite length and unspecified enemy. A planned march for September 29 is intended to educate the public that the problem of Terrorism and a response with war are symptoms of deeper systematic problems not addressed in the responses of leaders and the coverage of the media.

Faced with the fact that law enforcement surveillance as a result of the September 11 crimes against humanity has been increased to levels unprecedented since the 1980s, young activists at the welcome center have concerns about police harassment and a possible raid. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence Welcome Center at 16th and Irving NW is different than previous convergence centers. The most notable change is that activists are not sleeping there or gathering in droves. Since police have increasingly been using the idea of preemptive strikes, first started with the April 16 2000 DC protest against the world Bank IMF meetings, there has been a shift to smaller gathering spaces that are known to the groups that use them.

ACC coordinators have reported that there has been a police presence around the welcome center. Police drive by regularly and slow down. So far the worst that has occurred is a police car has stopping outside for 10 minutes. People have been documenting the incidents by writing down license plate numbers and taking pictures. Activists and organizers are concerned that police might try a preemptive raid or more overt harassment later on Friday evening or early Saturday morning before the planned ACC actions.

Activist have been sleeping in squats and other people’s places around the city. Squats are abandoned buildings that people take over, sleep and eat at. The idea is to reclaim unused space and make it useful for something besides making money. There have been no widespread reports of people being detained or harassed but there was a report of squatters been threatened by police at an abandoned building. Despite the lack of arrests, abandoned buildings are being more closely checked by police according to some activists.

Plans for the weekend include a 9 AM march beginning at Union Station and proceeding to the World Bank and IMF headquarters. People planning to attend don’t know what to expect. The ACC has asked that participates remain focused and not be involved in property destruction. Many participates don’t plan on confrontational tactics, but will support the choices of others should they plan to do so.

Organizers have called for a diversity of tactics in the principles of unity. That diversity ranges from popular education to direct action. People express concerns about the unknowns. They have no idea how police will react or if there will be a contingent of counter protesters, which has been called by a few conservative right wing groups.

Also planned is the creation of a Temporary Autonomous Zone at Malcolm X Park at 16th and Florida. The TAZ will bring people of diverse ideas together to share conversation and create an autonomous culture outside of the profit induced one that people experience everyday. A dinner is also planned at the park.
 
 

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