USA: Protests in Washington about meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank

Nearly seven hundred protesters took to the streets of Washington on Friday (October 19) to protests the weekend meeting of finance ministers from the world' seven wealthiest nations. Black clad protesters held up shields and chanted as they marched through Georgetown, one of Washington's wealthiest neighbourhoods. Police on motorcycles were visible on each block. One female was injured during the otherwise non-violent protest. The unidentified female, a bystander was struck in the head with a brick and was taken to the hospital. Protesters also tussled with a television crew from the Fox News Network. Demonstrators said they were protesting a myriad of issues including the role of the wealthiest nations and the war in Iraq. With global economic growth waning and a credit crunch threatening, finance chiefs from rich nations gathered on Friday to mull how to control strains in financial markets and keep expansion going. Ahead of the Group of Seven meeting of finance ministers and central bankers, France called for more attention to be paid to the soaring value of the euro, which hit a lifetime high against the U.S. dollar on Thursday. France worries euro strength will undercut European exports and slow growth there. That sets the stage for a weekend of sessions between big and small countries when International Monetary Fund and World Bank members hold their semi-annual meetings. A key agenda item is hastening the IMF's shift toward a stiffened surveillance role over currency exchange practices.

ITN Source | October 20, 2007

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