Thousands rally at Washington summit

Saturday, 20 April, 2002, 19:17 GMT 20:17 UK

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Washington to protest against Israel's military actions in the West Bank, the United States' war on terror and globalisation.

Mass rallies were taking place around the capital as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank began their annual spring meeting.

Hundreds of police, fearing a repeat of the violence of previous years, sealed off the downtown venue as the protests got under way.

So far the protests have been colourful and noisy and police say they have made no arrests.

"There are just large numbers of people who want to have their voices heard and that's what America is all about," said Washington Metropolitan Police Department Chief Charles Ramsey.

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