Washington prepares for influx of protesters

WASHINGTON (AP) This week's meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are expected to lure thousands of protesters to the nation's capital, and police are preparing by closing streets and bringing in extra officers.

While the major organizers promise a series of peaceful protests, at least one group is threatening to block key intersections and the Metro subway system, threatening to tie up traffic in downtown Washington.

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.''

The Greater Washington Board of Trade, a regional business organization, is urging workers to use mass transit and companies to allow employees to work at home if possible.

''We want to see business as usual,'' spokeswoman Mary Anne Reynolds said. ''That's what the protesters don't want to see. We're saying take Metro and come on in. Those who can't, this is a good time to consider teleworking.''

The Board of Trade is advising businesses to remove sidewalk furniture, flower pots, and anything else that could be picked up and thrown. In addition, the group suggested businesses empty their trash bins by Wednesday.

Martin Thomas of the Mobilization for Global Justice, the group organizing most of the protests, said his organization does not support blockades or other disruptive actions. Indeed, the group has scheduled three days of workshops on nonviolent protest.

''No protesters are advocating violence,'' Thomas said. ''These events are going to be safe. They're going to be colorful.''

Activities such as teach-ins, workshops and a Thursday night candlelight vigil are preliminaries to a rally and march scheduled for Saturday on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

What concerns local officials is the call by a group known as the Anti-Capitalist Convergence to block bridges, roads and the subway system on Friday.

D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey said he was concerned that such protests could hinder efforts to respond to a terrorist attack.

''To knowingly set out to strangle this city in terms of causing massive traffic jams, both Metro and vehicular traffic, to knowingly do that to Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States at a point in our history when our very nation is at risk and under high alert is just totally irresponsible and I think goes way beyond something that one could associate with the right to protest or petition the government,'' Ramsey said.