LIMA: Around 2, 000 activists marched through Lima to protest against the anti-poor policies of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank .
IMF and WB are holding their annual meetings in the capital city of Peru.
The marchers were carrying signs with angry slogans and at one point burning the flag of the United States, where the IMF and WB are based.
‘Imperialists go home,’ said one sign decorated with swastikas. ‘World Bank, universal terror,’ said another.
Police in riot gear carrying shields and tear gas bombs accompanied the protesters on the three-hour march, but ultimately no clashes broke out.
When the march reached the meeting venues, which have been surrounded by a heavy security presence all week, a small group of protesters was allowed to go inside to hand a petition over to officials.
‘Stop cutting payrolls to get out of the crisis,’ it said.
IMF chief Christine Lagarde sought to downplay criticisms Thursday as she kicked off the meetings in a region long resentful of being seen as America’s back yard.
