If after carefully weighing the issues, students decide to participate in the protests, they should do so in a peaceful, legal fashion. The Metropolitan Police have been out en masse for this week, and their power is to be respected at all times. After protests resulted in rioting and looting at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle earlier this year, authorities will not hesitate to quash the first signs of rioting at this weekends potentially similar protests. Participants should be mindful of their surroundings and try to avoid being near agitators or inappropriate protesting. Be insightful, not inciteful.
Peaceful protests are a great means of advertising an issue and advocating political change.
For college students, protesting can be a memorable experience, a rite of passage. But as far as the these protests are concerned, showing up to protest simply for the sake of protesting is an ill-advised, potentially dangerous course of action. Debt relief, globalization and environmentalism are all worthy causes to advocate, so long as the resulting actions remain peaceful. The IMF and World Bank protests offer students a unique opportunity to have a great impact on an issue of worldwide importance. Be aware and informed and don't let the embarrassments of Seattle find their way to the District.