Rowdy anti-globalization demo hits Washington

WASHINGTON: An anti-globalization march in the streets of Washington turned violent, with shop windows smashed as crowds protested on the eve of meetings Saturday of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Banner-waving crowds protesting what they see as harmful policies of the financial bodies marched peacefully at first late Friday evening before a disturbance broke out in the up-market neighborhood of Georgetown. Police came out in force with riot masks and batons and ordered the crowds to disperse.

Local television reported that one woman was injured when a brick was thrown and two clothing stores' windows were smashed.

It said the marchers headed west to Georgetown's shopping strip since they were unable to get close to the IMF and World Bank headquarters in the heart of the city. Security was tight there as ministers from around the world were due to attend the meetings.

City police spokesmen were not immediately able to give further details of the disturbance.