On N9, Oxford Global Action undertook its first protest, against the IMF in Oxford. Despite what seemed like targetted censorship of our posters, around 60-80 people turned up to protest against the IMF on the steps of the examination halls on the High Street, where the ex-IMF head was to give a talk. Many people turned up dressed for a party and TV cameras and the local press had obviously heard about the event.

Banners attacked the IMF and factsheets which had been prepared in advance advised the potential audience of the facts about the IMF. Speeches were given on the steps of the examination halls before the demonstrators tried to enter the talk. The university police refused entrance not only to the demonstrators, but also to many who had travelled many miles to hear the talk (one person travelled from Amsterdam to hear the talk and was refused entrance!). After some pretty physical work, with lecturers, students, activists and members of the public working together to force the doors open, we stormed in: the principle of free speech and the fact that this was a public lecture ensured that everyone had good reason to hear this 'great mans' words.

Unfortunately, the police had already closed some metal gates which led to the hall itself, so we hung around the entrance hall. After some time, a number of people went back to have a rally on the front steps, and finally a small number of demonstrators managed to get into the lecture (getting in with a number of self-important people and lecturers). The lecture would have been a comedy experience, except fro the fact that Camdessus seemed to be serious about "development is another word for peace", "the IMF has succeeded wonderfully", "humanising globalisation", and "the IMF has the potential to stop all wars!". What a load of crap - luckily the factsheets had been given out and most of the audience were looking carefully at the real facts. Difficult questions were asked which were simply shrugged off [he lied in his answers] and then we all retired to a private function with free red wine, food and lots of university proctors and 'special' people.

As everyone gathered round the madman, asking him arse-licking questions, a couple of demonstrators approached him to ask some rather more realistic questions. The university police were most concered and this concern was warranted, when unexpectedly, two glasses of red wine soaked Camdesses and left him looking like he'd been physically assualted. The liberal and polite atmosphere changed to one of shock, and the police quickly threw the activist to the ground and removed the rest of the 'subversives'. Fortunately, a good photo of the mans red-wine-soaked-head was taken before leaving. The university officials were most concerned, as this was the most important talk they had organised all year! I don't think many of us will be allowed to do an MA at Oxford .

All in all, a successful demonstration: the leaflets left everyone thinking that the talk *sounded* good, but was actually a load of nonsense; the carnival atmosphere got good attention, and the red wine incident ensured that everyone knew that the IMF can't get away with its crimes and blatant lies anywhere. SHUT DOWN THE IMF!