WASHINGTON - Organizers of planned demonstrations against the economic policies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund filed suit Monday challenging police tactics they contend would violate their constitutional rights.

From the Associated Press

Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey and the U.S. Secret Service have reportedly discussed plans to close off more than 40 blocks to unauthorized vehicular and pedestrian traffic during next month's annual meetings of the world financial institutions. The plans are aimed at reducing the possibility of property damage and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.

The lawsuit alleges the proposed use of two miles of temporary fencing would create ``massive no-protest zones,'' relegating demonstrators to protest pits designed for only small numbers of people.

``Ramsey has proposed draconian measures,'' said Carl Messineo, a co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice, one of four groups filing the action in U.S. District Court. The security proposals amount to ``a suspension of fundamental democratic freedoms'' including freedom of speech and assembly, he said.

Demonstrators fear that being kept away from the White House and the headquarters of both financial institutions would mute their views, including their call for cancellation of poor nations' debts.

``They want to push us out of sight and out of mind,'' said Lawrence Holmes, co-director of the International Action Center.

Officials at the D.C. Office of Corporation Counsel, which serves as the city's legal department, reserved comment until they are required to respond in court to the lawsuit, which names the city, local police, the National Park Service and the U.S. government.

Police have suggested more than 100,000 people might show up to demonstrate. Noting last month's violence in Genoa, Italy, and other incidents over the past two years, Ramsey contends there is evidence of increasing violence in the anti-globalization movement.

``We want them to have the opportunity to protest and be heard without disrupting the ability of the delegates to meet,'' Ramsey said Friday.

About 17,000 participants including heads of state, finance ministers, and journalists are expected for the Sept 29-30 meetings, a schedule reduced from a week in part due to security concerns.

The $38 million security plan involves 6,000 law enforcement officers and members of the D.C. National Guard. Hundreds of police recruited from state and local departments in the eastern United States would back up local and federal personnel.