A small group of protesters yesterday hand-delivered 10,000 “unhappy birthday cards” to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which are celebrating their 60th anniversary this week.
The cards, signed mostly by citizens of Third World countries, demanded that the World Bank and IMF cancel the debt of the world’s impoverished nations.
The protest comes as the World Bank and IMF, both in Northwest, are scheduled to hold their annual spring meetings on Saturday and Sunday. It was one of several protests scheduled to take place this weekend.
D.C. police will periodically close several streets and restrict parking around both buildings during the next four days.
Damian S. Milverton, the World Bank’s senior communications officer, said the hand-written cards would be thrown away after the protesters left.
“It’s the message that’s so important,” Mr. Milverton said. “The cards themselves will be recycled. That’s what we do with paper at the bank.”
Mr. Milverton said the IMF and the World Bank had begun a program that’s expected to reduce the debt of 27 nations by more than $50 billion within the next 20 years. He said debt cancellation will be a topic at this weekend’s meetings.
“We obviously have contact with the people of developing countries every day,” he said. “We have [2,500] staffers out in the field, working in towns and cities in more than 100 countries. We feel we’re getting their opinions directly. I hope a lot of these people have been to developing countries and also are speaking from experience.”
Yesterday, fewer than 100 protesters gathered in a park across from the World Bank headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Many protesters wore party hats and blew noisemakers. For 90 minutes before delivering the cards, they chanted slogans and made speeches. They also played Latin music and party games such as “pin the Structural Development Program on the developing world.”
Esther Osborne, 66, of Seattle, said she first became involved with IMF/World Bank protests through her Episcopal church two years ago.
“I think the IMF is heading in the wrong direction with its economic policy,” Mrs. Osborne said. “I think there’s ample evidence they can forgive the debt without disturbing financial markets.”
In a prepared statement read to the protesters, Rep. Maxine Waters, California Democrat, described the United States as a “bilateral creditor.” Mrs. Waters also announced that she will introduce in Congress legislation called the Justice and Understanding By IMF Loan Elimination and Equity (JUBILEE) Act that would cancel the debts that poor countries owe to the IMF.
“This year the IMF celebrates its 60th birthday,” Mrs. Waters said. “The JUBILEE Act is my gift to the IMF.”
About 30 D.C. police officers watched the protest as they stood in front of the World Bank offices. No arrests were made.
“We’re just here to monitor the situation,” D.C. Police Lt. E.M. Delisi said. “I don’t expect any trouble.”
More than 400 people were arrested during similar protests in September 2002. More than 25,000 protesters virtually closed the District in 2000.
Mr. Milverton said he thinks this week’s protests will be more subdued than in previous years.
“First, we’re bringing a lot of these groups inside the bank to talk with them,” he said. “Secondly, they are focused this year on specific issues like debt cancellation. In the past, protesters were not so constructive with their criticism.”
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