Two stories are posted below on the same issue. The question here is about media coverage of an important event. Note that the second story, posted about an hour after the first, places more emphasis on finding bomb materials and deletes the mention that 300 protesters were required to leave the building. It looks to me like the police are attempting to disrupt a legally organized protest and the media is allowing the perception to be created that the protesters are just a bunch of bomb throwing radicals.

What do you think?

Apr 15, 2000 - 10:34 AM

Police Raid, Shut Down Protesters' Headquarters

By Alice Ann Love

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police staged a lightning raid and closed down the headquarters of world finance protesters today after fire officials declared the old warehouse unsafe.

Moving through the building, officers seized a plastic container with a rag stuffed inside and what looked like a wick, said executive assistant police chief Terry Gainer.

He said it "looks like a Molotov cocktail," adding that police also found soda bottles with the tops or bottoms cut off.

The "convergence" center was used by hundreds of demonstrators each day to train for mass protests planned for Sunday and Monday and make signs, banners and puppets.

"We're simply concerned about their safety, and we want to make sure there are no fire hazards," Washington Police Chief Charles Ramsey said.

Two people were arrested as the center was evacuated. Officers said they refused to obey police orders.

Police said the building was a fire hazard, with a jury-rigged electrical system, chained doors and a propane stove that was not up to code.

Chuck Reinhardt, 50, said fire inspectors came into the building and declared that the restaurant-type propane stove being used for cooking was a violation of the national capital's fire code.

They were quickly followed by police who told people to leave, said Reinhardt, a high school history teacher from New York City who came down for the demonstrations.

He said around 300 people were in the building at the time.

"We probably saved their lives," Ramsey said, when asked why fire officials ordered protesters to vacate the building set up as demonstration headquarters.

Ramsey spoke to protesters on the streets earlier. When one asked whether police would use tear gas, the chief replied, on WRC-TV, "We could light this town up if we had to, but we don't intend to do that." Molly McCarthy, 21, of Seattle, a protest organizer, said of the evacuation: "One message we want to put out is 'This will not deter us.'"

Patrick Reinsborough of San Francisco, who was in the warehouse, said two police officers and two fire officials came to the center unannounced and began inspections.

Several of the protesters demanded a search warrant, but the fire officials said they didn't need one for a fire inspection

"The police said they found things that were a fire hazard," Reinsborough said. "As soon as they claimed they found a fire hazard, a large number of police were in the area. They demanded the space be evacuated."

Late Friday, police raided a house where they found a large supply of tools and equipment that protesters apparently planned to use to thwart police efforts to break up human blockades. It was the second time this week that officers seized such equipment.

Police arrested three people and confiscated hollow plastic tubes called "sleeping dragons," along with chains, chicken wire and gas masks.

"We're very pleased that we're taking these instruments of crime off the street, and this will make the weekend much safer," Gainer said.

Shortly before police moved into the headquarters this morning, about 20 demonstrators from 10 countries appeared at the home of World Bank President James Wolfensohn and handed him a letter protesting the institution's lending policies.

Wolfensohn, on his way to work, listened quietly as Dr. Vineeta Gupta, an Indian physician, read part of the letter. The demonstrators sang quietly in the street, drawing a squad of motorcycle officers, and held signs saying, "Wake up Wolfensohn" and "Wake Up World Bank." There were no arrests.

"Good morning. Well, thank you very much. You got up very early," Wolfensohn said he told the group before he got into his chauffeur-driven car.

The letter demanded an international boycott of the bonds that are the main funding source for the World Bank. "We call on governments of all member nations of the World Bank to cease further funding ... until all destructive World Bank lending has ended and the World Bank has canceled all debts owed to it by Third World countries," the letter said.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGIBNE5C37C.html

Apr 15, 2000 - 11:49 AM

Washington, DC: Police Raid IMF/WTO Protest Headquarters, Say Bomb Material Found--300 Protesters Forced to Leave

By Alice Ann Love Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police staged a lightning raid and closed the headquarters of world finance protesters today, declaring the old warehouse unsafe and saying they found a container that could have been used for a firebomb.

Moving through the building, officers seized a plastic container with a rag stuffed inside and what looked like a wick, said executive assistant police chief Terry Gainer. He said it "looks like a Molotov cocktail."

An undisclosed amount of ammunition and firebomb instructions were found in a raid on a house the previous evening, Gainer said. He did not say whether that raid had anything to do with today's decision to clear the headquarters.

The "convergence" center was used by hundreds of demonstrators to train for mass protests planned Sunday and Monday against meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Police deployed in huge numbers through the capital to try to head off a replay of the destructive anti-globalization protests in Seattle at a December meeting of the World Trade Organization. Some 750 senior diplomats and finance leaders were attending the Washington meetings. Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House, closed to vehicles since the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, also was closed to pedestrians today. Tourists, who normally snap pictures of the White House from the sidewalk, were kept behind barricades across the street.

Police arrested two people for refusing to obey orders as they evacuated the protest center. Officials said the building was a fire hazard, with a jury-rigged electrical system, chained doors and a propane stove that was not up to code.

"We're simply concerned about their safety, and we want to make sure there are no fire hazards," Washington Police Chief Charles Ramsey said.

Assistant chief Gainer said police also found the stuffed plastic container. Protest organizers, who have said they intend to run disruptive but nonviolent protests, were using the warehouse to make signs, banners and puppets as well as to conduct training sessions.

"This will not deter us," Molly McCarthy, 21, of Seattle, said of the evacuation. Protest leaders took their belongings and moved to another building.

Ramsey spoke to protesters on the streets earlier. When one asked whether police would use tear gas, the chief replied, on Washington station WRC-TV, "We could light this town up if we had to, but we don't intend to do that."

Patrick Reinsborough of San Francisco, who was in the warehouse as the raid began, said two police officers and two fire officials came to the center unannounced and began inspections. Several protesters demanded a search warrant, but the fire officials said they didn't need one for a fire inspection.

"The police said they found things that were a fire hazard," Reinsborough said. "As soon as they claimed they found a fire hazard, a large number of police were in the area. They demanded the space be evacuated."

Late Friday, police raided a house where they found a large supply of tools and equipment that protesters apparently planned to use to thwart police efforts to break up human blockades. It was the second time this week that officers seized such equipment.

Gainer later said police also recovered firebomb instructions in the raid and added: "We found ammunition." Asked what kind, he said, "small caliber." Three people were arrested for possession of criminal instruments.

Chains, chicken wire and gas masks were among the items seized.

"We're very pleased that we're taking these instruments of crime off the street, and this will make the weekend much safer," Gainer said.

Shortly before police moved into the headquarters this morning, about 20 demonstrators from 10 countries appeared at the home of World Bank President James Wolfensohn and handed him a letter protesting the institution's lending policies.

Wolfensohn, on his way to work, listened quietly as Vineeta Gupta, an Indian physician, read part of the letter. The demonstrators sang quietly in the street, drawing a squad of motorcycle officers, and held signs saying, "Wake up Wolfensohn" and "Wake Up World Bank."

There were no arrests.

"Good morning. Well, thank you very much. You got up very early," Wolfensohn said he told the group before he got into his chauffeur-driven car.

The letter demanded an international boycott of the bonds that are the main financing source for the World Bank. "We call on governments of all member nations of the World Bank to cease further funding ... until all destructive World Bank lending has ended and the World Bank has canceled all debts owed to it by Third World countries," the letter said. ---

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGI3YJUE37C.html

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), April 15, 2000

Answers

I've got to agree with you, Carl. That's exactly the way I read it.

-- Billiver (billliver@aol.com), April 15, 2000.

Apparently this big demonstration, which was touted as another Seattle, didn't pan out that way. In fact, it was a big flop. It was so pitiful that I'm curious as to why they bothered to demonize anybody.

-- LillyLP (lillyLP@aol.com), April 15, 2000.

Oh, no! You wait till tomorrow! That is the big rally day.

They did the above WITHOUT warrants. I wouldn't put it past them to have planted stuff - this group is NOT stupid LINK

Washington police raid headquarters of World Bank protesters

April 15, 2000 Web posted at: 4:08 p.m. EDT (2008 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON -- Police on Saturday raided and closed down the headquarters for activists gathered in Washington to protest at the World Bank's summit, after fire officials declared the old warehouse unsafe.

Two people were arrested and about 100 were evacuated from the center. The demonstrators were in town as officials from the Group of Seven nations -- the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada -- were gathering in advance of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank set for Sunday and Monday.

Police said they found materials that could have been used to make firebombs. Executive Assistant Police Chief Terry Gainer said police seized a plastic container with a rag stuffed inside that looked like a wick.

He said it "looks like a Molotov @#%$tail," adding that police also found soda bottles with the tops or bottoms cut off.

In a separate raid, an undisclosed amount of ammunition as well as firebomb instructions were found in a house on Friday evening, Gainer said. He did not say whether that raid had anything to do with Saturday's decision to clear the warehouse headquarters.

The demonstrators used the building, which they called a "convergence center," for training and making materials for their protests against the policies of the world finance organizations.

"We probably saved their lives," District of Columbia Police Chief Charles Ramsey said when asked why fire officials ordered the evacuation. "We're simply concerned about their safety, and we want to make sure there are no fire hazards."

Ramsey, who has gone into the streets in recent days to mingle with protesters, was shown on TV videotape talking with a demonstrator who asked if police would use tear gas against unruly crowds.

"We could light this town up if we had to, but we don't intend to do that," Ramsey said.

Some 750 senior diplomats and finance leaders were attending the Washington meetings.

Police have been deployed in huge numbers through the capital to try to head off a replay of the destructive anti-globalization protests in Seattle at a December meeting of the World Trade Organization.

Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House, closed to vehicles since the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, also was closed to pedestrians on Saturday. Tourists, who normally snap pictures of the White House from the sidewalk, were kept behind barricades across the street.

Building declared dangerous

Police said the building was a fire hazard, with a jury-rigged electrical system, chained doors and a propane stove that was not up to code.

Patrick Reinsborough of San Francisco, who was in the warehouse, said two police officers and two fire officials came to center unannounced and began inspecting the facility.

Several protesters demanded a search warrant, but the fire officials said they didn't need one for a fire inspection.

"The police said they found things that were a fire hazard," Reinsborough said. "As soon as they claimed they found a fire hazard, a large number of police were in the area. They demanded the space be evacuated."

Protester Chuck Reinhardt, 50, said fire inspectors said the propane stove was being used for cooking -- a violation of the fire code.

Reinhardt said police officers told the people in the building to leave. He said around 300 people were in the building at the time.

Other raids on protesters

Late Friday, police raided a house where they said they found tools and equipment that protesters apparently planned to use to thwart police efforts to break up human blockades.

Police arrested three people and confiscated hollow plastic tubes called "sleeping dragons," along with chains, chicken wire and gas masks.

"We're very pleased that we're taking these instruments of crime off the street, and this will make the weekend much safer," Gainer said.

Wake-up call for World Bank president

Shortly before police moved into the headquarters warehouse on Saturday, activists woke up World Bank president James Wolfensohn. About 20 demonstrators from 10 countries appeared at his home in Washington's Embassy Row neighborhood with banners saying: "Wake up Wolfensohn" and "Wake Up World Bank."

Vineeta Gupta, a doctor from the Punjab in India, handed Wolfensohn a letter signed by 450 people from 35 countries.

The letter criticized the bank's lending programs, which protesters claim have increased indebtedness and poverty in developing countries. They also say the bank's programs promote sweatshops and destroy the environment.

"The World Bank is subjugating our economic and social independence," Gupta said. "It is time that we shut the bank down, and this boycott is a great start."

Wolfensohn, on his way to work, listened quietly as Gupta read the letter and demonstrators sang in the street.

"Good morning. Well, thank you very much. You got up very early," Wolfensohn told the group before he got into his chauffeur-driven car.

No stopping globalization

A World Bank representative said on Saturday there is no stopping the merging of the world's economies.

"We can't just stop globalization and get off," Carolyn Ansty told CNN International. "We have to try and look at both the challenges and risks, and there are risks. I don't think anyone denies that."

But Ansty said her organization is concerned about more than money. She said the World Bank is taking on humanitarian issues, such as AIDS, which is on the agenda at Sunday's meeting.

"For the first time the finance ministers will have a chance to discuss this," Ansty told CNN International. "I think although we recognize the right to protest, we don't know who wins by shutting down a protest on AIDS."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Sheri

-- Sheri Nakken (wncy2k@nccn.net), April 15, 2000.

Also note the last 2 paragraphs in the above post. What she says is ludicrous!

Diversionary.

Also earlier this week on Thursday.. The radio station where I'm a broadcaster just had on the news that the IMF/WB are not granting press passes to ANYONE from community radio stations, public access stations or college stations/news. They have TOTALLY banned anyone from alternative media - including other critical larger journalistic organizations. One of the journalists from KBOO in Portland wrote objecting to this and was told very curtly that they were not allowing ANYONE from community radio stations, public access stations or college stations/news. The same goes for journalists who have come from outside the country. They have applied just like it says on the website and been turned down - nothing there about rules such as thisSo much for a free country and freedom of the press. Of course these are private organizations but funded with much public dollars AND no way to know what is going on! Hopefully there is someone on the inside that they thought was mainstream who will leak! The reporter from KBOO and and another from Edinburgh, Scotland were reporting on the huge numbers of people coming and that this would be way larger than Seattle as far as activists present (already there is the largest AFL-CIO gathering ever - also today protesting any blank check for China).

Also the police chief in DC said that they've spent lots of money (meaning pepper spray, weapons, tear gas, etc) and that DC won't burn like Seattle. Give me a break - Seattle wasn't burning - a few dumpsters, but hardly Seattle. This could be serious.

Those that have been banned are urging people to email their representatives and radio and TV.

-- Sheri Nakken (wncy2k@nccn.net), April 15, 2000.

Link to the group that got raided Link in my post 2 above this one was not working right.

-- Sheri Nakken (wcny2k@nccn.net), April 15, 2000.

Woops! It looks like I presumed too soon. I see, from this and what's on TV now, that this thing is just heating up.

-- LillyLP (lillyLP@aol.com), April 15, 2000.