WASHINGTON-Concerned about protests, officials of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund announced Wednesday they would break a 20-year tradition of holding the major session of their annual meetings at a historic uptown hotel.

The decision comes as security experts prepare for what some say could be the largest demonstrations in the capital city since the Vietnam War.

“This is a common-sense precaution,” said David Hawley, chief spokesman for the IMF. Officials cited potential neighborhood disruptions prompted by the planned tight security for their decision to hold all meetings in and around the downtown complex where both groups are headquartered.

Although most of the sessions have been held in that complex, the 16-acre site of the Marriott Wardman Park has hosted the plenary session for representatives of the 183 member nations since the early 1980’s. But a larger security presence around the 83 year-old hotel could inconvenience thousands of residents who live in the area.