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MONDAY

In 1985, when many of today’s IMF/World Bank protesters were still being shuttled to soccer practice in Mom’s taxi, Bruce Cockburn penned “Call It Democracy,” which contained the lines: “IMF/Dirty MF/Takes away everything it can get.” Bernie Finkelstein, the Canadian troubadour’s longtime manager, says, “The song was banned by several radio stations in the U.S., perhaps because it contained the word ‘fuck’—but most likely because some people actually thought it was anti-American.” Finkelstein also notes that “Call It Democracy” “was the last video that MTV ever played by Bruce.” Cockburn, who has continued to blend acid social commentary with melodic folk-rock, is the perfect entertainer for tonight’s Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards. This year’s awardees are Oscar Olivera, who fought the World Bank’s initiative to privatize the Bolivian water system, and the November Coalition, which seeks an end to the U.S. “drug war.” The program gets started at 7 p.m. at the National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. $35. (202) 234-9382, ext. 234. (Pamela Murray Winters)