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America Attacked:
Anti-War Protests
With Charles Ramsey
D.C. Chief of Police
Friday, Sept. 28, 2001; Noon p.m. EDT
The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon are being
called the single worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil. The Bush
administration has declared war on terrorism as the country considers
new measures for homeland security. A military build-up continues as
troops, ships and planes prepare for an as yet undisclosed mission.
D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey, talks about security issues and this weekend's anti-war protests on Friday, Sept. 28 at Noon EDT.
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your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
Several thousand protesters will take to District streets this weekend
as anti-globalization protests have taken a new form as anti-war
rallies. Working with other law enforcement groups, the D.C. police will help maintain order among protesters and anti-protesters this weekend.
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washingtonpost.com:
We would like to welcome D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey to today's discussion. Chief Ramsey how is the Metropolitan Police Department preparing for this weekend's protests and do you anticipate a peaceful protest?
Chief Charles Ramsey: Obviously, we have greatly scaled back our original plans, in light of the IMF and World Bank canceling their meetings. We have, however, activated our civil disturbance units, and they will be deployed to handle the protests. We do not anticipate any large-scale acts of civil disobience. However, we are prepared to deal with any situation that may arise. The majority of our patrol force will be deployed in our neighborhoods over the weekend, helping to protect our communities.
Washington, D.C.:
Chief Ramsey, what do you believe will be the main focus of these protests? And do you think these protests will be on the peaceful side or the aggressive side?
Chief Charles Ramsey: Protest organizers claim that this is a protest for peace. We can only take them at their word. They also claim that the protests will be peaceful. Our job is to be prepared, whether the protests are peaceful or turn violent.
Arlington, Va:
These protests seem inappropriately timed and the number of events I've heard of, 3, seem excessive in light of the additional strain on city resources after the terrorist attacks. Was there any way to curtail protest activity this weekend? I support freedom of expression, but I also am concern about authorities being able to focus on prevailing security concerns.
Chief Charles Ramsey: We obviously have no control over the timing of these protest. You are correct in noting that they come at a time when our resources are already strained. People, however, have a right to demonstrate. Our job is to respond and ensure that they are able to do so, in a lawful and peaceful manner.
Washington, DC:
How much of an impact will the protesters have? Should we stay in all weekend? not go out? avoid driving?
Chief Charles Ramsey: There will be some impact on traffic, but only in the area around the White House and the Capitol. We do not anticipate any other disruptions. You should feel free to get out and enjoy the city this weekend.
Dupont Circle, Washington, DC:
How many protesters do you estimate will be out in force? Anywhere near the size of last year's IMF/World Bank protest here in DC?
Chief Charles Ramsey: The protest organizers claim that between 4,000 and 10,000 demonstrators will come to Washington this weekend. We have no way of knowing exactly what the number will be. But even the high estimate will be much lower than the number who demonstrated against the IMF and World Bank in April 2000. Again, we will have sufficient resources to handle demonstrations this weekend.
philadelphia, pa:
as an activist, i am hundred percent committed to non-violence ( including property destrcution). what will you do to make sure that people like me are not targetting by police just because i am protestor? what will you do to show the media that not all protestors are violent? will you arrest flag waying patriots if they are violent towards us?
on a side- aren;t you glad the chandra levy stuff has gone silent?
thanks
Chief Charles Ramsey: I am glad to know you're committed to non-violence. Most protesters are. We do not target protesters. We are there to ensure that people are able to excercise their First Amendment rights is a safe and secure environment. Anyone who commits violent acts will be arrested. As far as the media are concerned, they will report the story as they see it. Hopefully, what they report will be images of a peaceful demonstration. In the midst of all this is going on, we continue to conduct investigations into the Chandra Levy case and others.
VA:
There will be a lot of counterprotestors. Will they be protected too?
Chief Charles Ramsey: We do not know how many, if any, counter-demonstrators will come. But we will ensure that they are able to voice their opinion in a safe and secure manner as well.
Washington, DC:
Why was it that the city didn't have any extensive emergency preparedness plans in place before the September 11 attacks? What's being done now to bring the quality of security in the nation's capital up to an appropriate level in the face of potential future attacks?
Chief Charles Ramsey: There were emergency operations plans in place, and they were used during the September 11 event. MPD's Joint Command Center was activated before the hijacked plane struck the Pentagon. Traffic plans were put into effect throughout the city, and our emergency recall of MPD officers was implemented. The Command Center had respresentatives from the FBI, the US Secret Service, Metro Transit Police, US Capitol Police, US Park Police, the FAA, Amtrak, and others. As a result, we were able to receive, verify and share law enforcement information on a timely basis. The entire city is reviewing the full range of its emergency operations plans, so that we are in the best position possible to deal with whatever situations may arise in the future, be they natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Washington, DC:
I'm concerned by the sudden drop in community policing as a result of the bombings, increased security downtown, and these protests. I called the non-emergency number to report a group of young guys harassing passers-by, and a car didn't respond for nearly 45 minutes. When will we see the DC police back on the beat. After all, I pay more in DC taxes than G.W. Bush does.
Chief Charles Ramsey: These are unusual circumstances that all of law enforcement, including our Department, is dealing with at the current time. There has been some temporary disruption to our "Policing for Prevention" (community policing) strategy. We hope to get back to normal as soon as possible. In the meantime, we ask for you patience as we all work through these difficult times.
dc:
What is the District doing to prepare for a bioterrorist attack? (I'd ask my Congressman... but ...)
Are vaccines available to the public? Where can I get more information?
Chief Charles Ramsey: Part of the emergency operations plans being developed by DC's Emergency Management Agency deals with the city's ability to respond to chemical/biological threats. The Mayor's Office is in the process of developing information on what citizens can do. However, people should not deviate from their normal routines out of fear. The psychology of terrorism is to make people fearful. We cannot allow that to happen.
Washington, DC:
Don't you think that a return to normalcy would be good for the city? emotionally and mentally as well as economics.. look at all the hotel/hospitality workers out of work. So do you think that if this protest goes on without problems and the police prove themselves to be capable to handle situations like this during times of possible military action that we move that much closer to our normal pre Sept 11 state? I think the protests will be good! some good business for downtown AND it will show everyone that DC is has the capability to go back to normal....
Chief Charles Ramsey: A return to normalcy is definitely what we are all striving for. The events of September 11 have taken their toll on a variety of fronts, including a negative economic impact on the District. Thank you for the confidence you have shown in our Department and our city. We will do everything we can to make sure the protests take place without incident.
washingtonpost.com:
Read the article in today's paper on the protests this weekend.
Washington, D.C.:
Chief Ramsey,
It's painfully apparent that the "yahoos" that are behind this peace march are the same ones that would pervert a peaceful organized rally against the IMF and WorldBank into a cover story for "Anarchist Today!".
Do you expect conflicts to arise between not only the protestors and police, but between them and general red(hot)-blooded American public who view their meddling as undermining solidarity when it is needed most?
Chief Charles Ramsey: We are hopeful that there are no conflicts among any groups this weekend. Our goal is to allow people to exercise their First Amendment rights in a safe and secure manner, and we are confident people will be able to do so.
Centreville, Va.:
I wanted to come into the city this weekend and down on the Mall. Are there any street additional street closings because of the protests?
Chief Charles Ramsey: There may be some disruption of traffic flow around the White House and Capitol during certain times this weekend. Other than that, we do not anticipate any other traffic disruptions. We hope you will come and enjoy the Mall and DC's neighborhoods this weekend.
washingtonpost.com:
Unfortunately, that is all the time we have for today. We would like to thank Chief Ramsey for joining us this afternoon.
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