WEF Invades NYC; Thousands Take to the Streets in Protest
2/2&3: In NYC, thousands came out in festive, colorful, and loud direct action against the global elite WEF. Highlights included the 75-foot long dragon, the roving Reclaim the Streets samba band, and the masked, art-shielded black bloc, all calling for local control and an end to capitalist exploitation. Depending on who you ask, there were over 15,000 protesters on the streets Saturday. Another day of action by the anti-capitalist, earth liberation, and other contingents followed on Sunday. Report Video: 1 | 2.

The NYPD, backed by atrocious corporate media reports, arrested, attacked, followed, and otherwise menaced scores of peaceful protesters - read jail statement by female prisoners. Prominent activists and even IMC reporters were targeted for arrest and harrassment. Read commentary on protest tactics.

And on other continents: 60,000 took part in an NGO symposium and raucous street demonstrations at the World Social Forum in Brazil. Reportback Full coverage at Belgium, Brasil, and global Indymedia. At the Munich Security Conference, hundreds of anti-NATO demonstrators were arrested after the protest was declared illegal (Germany IMC).

2/2: In San Francisco, an unpermitted march wound through downtown and ended up at the old Hibernia Bank, where banners were dropped and the punks rocked out under the massive portico of the bank building. Video | Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | PDF | Perspectives | soundz of the street