WASHINGTON -- (AP) The nation's capital is bracing for thousands of
protesters planning to descend on this week's meeting of the World Bank
and International Monetary Fund.

Organizers say they expect thousands of demonstrators for days of
protests, culminating Saturday in a march and rally.

They say the policies of the World Bank and IMF force developing
countries into debt that cannot pay back, and turn over such necessities
as health care and water systems to private companies.

"This program is fundamentally flawed," said Marie Clarke, national
coordinator for the Jubilee USA Network, which plans a candlelight vigil
in front of the U.S. Treasury building Thursday night. "We need to
discuss it. So we're going to come to the streets."

At dusk Monday, two dozen demonstrators gathering in front of the
International Monetary Fund, accompanied by a giant cigarette pack of
plywood, to protest what they said was IMF support for lowering tobacco
taxes and for forcing countries to open their markets to tobacco imports.

"The ideologically driven IMF is recklessly promoting policies that are
likely to increase smoking rates, without taking into account the health
impact of its policies," said Robert Weissman, co-director of Essential
Action, which organized the protest.

Though they say they plan to hold peaceful demonstrations, and are
offering workshops in nonviolent protests, a group known as the
Anti-Capitalist Convergence is threatening to block bridges, roads and
the Metro subway system.

District of Columbia police plan to block off streets in the area around
the financial institutions, located just a few blocks from the White
House, and are bringing in 1,700 officers from neighboring communities
to supplement local law enforcement.

According to the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, which
includes businesses near the World Bank, there will be platoons of 34
police officers each at several key downtown intersections.

In addition, the public is being urged to stay away from the area on
Friday. The Business Improvement District warns that "major disruptions
to morning traffic are expected."

Metro police Chief Polly Hanson said the subway system would have
plainclothes officers [N.B.] at stations to prevent disruptions, just in case.