A20 in DC: Indymedia Receives Leaked Police Strategy Memo

A new internal memo from the Washington, D.C. Police Department warns police that protestors this weekend might use violence and pipe bombs, and specifically tells police to be alert for persons who are photographing, videotapping or taking notes, the D.C. Independent Media Center has learned.

In an April 18 memo, obtained this morning by the Independent Media Center, police are told to expect tens of thousands of people from all over the country to come to town to demonstrate against the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) from April 19-23.

The document paints protestors and media producers alike as suspicious and potentially dangerous.

"It is possible that some of the radical groups that are involved may stage so-called 'probing' incidents between now and the actual event," the memo reads. "Such incidents are intended to test police, fire and EMS response. Such incidents may include vandalism, pipe bombings, or 'Molotov cocktails.'"

The memo is called "The Dispatch" and is published for internal metro D.C. police use only. Under a section titled "Intelligence Information for the IMF," law enforcement officials are told there is a "strong likelihood" for civil disobedience and mass arrests during the events.

Specifically, police are told to be alert for "suspicious" people who are gathering information or calling police on the phone "posing" as reporters. The memo recommends that police should photograph people who are photographing, videotaping or taking notes.

"Personnel should also be alert for any suspicious persons or activities on the scene or in the area, including persons photographing, videotaping or taking notes," the memo states. "Police buildings and police actions are also likely to be under observation during this time," the memo continues. "Personnel should attempt to identify any suspicious persons who are photographing, videotaping, or taking notes in these instances."

"If possible, the individual(s) should be photographed," the memo adds.

And the document expressly warns police about people who are trying to gather information about police activities.

"District personnel should be alert to the possibility of phone calls from people posing as reporters, who may attempt to gather information about police activities surrounding this event," the memo states. "Members should attempt to get a name and a phone number, and then refer the caller to the Office of Public Information."

Thousands of people are in town this weekend for several days of educational activities, demonstrations, vigils and workshops. Four major mobilizations are being held concerning a range of issues, such as Plan Colombia, corporate globaization, the crisis of capitalism, the crisis in the Middle East and the war on terrorism. Events are being organized separately by different groups, including the Colombia Mobilization/School of the Americas Watch, the Mobilization for Global Justice, United We March, the Anti-Capitalist Convergence and the International ANSWER coalition.

However, a person with inside knowledge of the D.C. police department said that law enforcement officials have a new "gameplan" to deal with protestors and activists this weekend that will include "surprises."

Part of that new gameplan appears to focus on information gathering. During one of the first events of the weekend, about 50 people were arrested in downtown Friday evening during a critical mass bikeride. After being arrested, the bikers were taken to the Institute for Police Science in southwest, where they were put in an auditorium.

Unlike previous mass arrests, however, the arrestees were allowed to have unlimited access to telephones after being processed. About a dozen phones were available in the auditorium, encouraging arrestees to call their friends and family. However, many arrestees said they believe the phones were being heavily monitored by law enforcement officials, including the FBI.

Some arrestees eventually began to use the phones to call media outlets and give interviews. However, as this reporter was doing a live radio interview with the D.C. Independent Media Center a senior ranking member of the police department, Sgt. C.R. Sloan, came running into the auditorium and ordered everybody to get off the phones.

Sloan said that if people were going to make calls to the media then nobody would be allowed to make calls, even though he was not in the room when the media interviews were taking place. No more calls were allowed after that.

The internal police memo predicts that most protest actions will occur on April 20 and 21. After stating that some protest groups may do vandalism or use pipe bombs, the memo says that possible targets include "large, multi-national corporation commercial outlets such as The Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Starbucks, Nike, and clothing outlets selling animal furs."

The memo also warns police to be on the lookout for demonstrators who may try to "squat" buildings or conduct "scouting operations" around the World Bank/IMF.

"From now until the event, some demonstrators may attempt to camp, or 'squat', in vacant buildings or buildings under construction," the memo reads. "Such structures may be used as staging areas for demonstrators or supplies. Members should be aware of these types of buildings within their patrol areas and should be alert for any suspicious activity."

In all instances, police are directed to immediately call the "Intelligence Section" at (202) 724-1424.