The Battle of Seattle
Reports from the Front Lines
by Aaron G. Lehmer, Earth Island Website Manager
Activists converged upon Seattle to protest the anti-labor and anti-environmental policies of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Before the recent showdown in Seattle over the World Trade Organization (WTO), this obscure global agency managed to enjoy a kind of secret innocence. Since its birth during the last round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1995, the WTO has plotted the future course of international commerce with little or no comment from most major media. But thanks to tens of thousands of protesters and concerned citizens from throughout the United States and around the world, the WTO has been successfully hurled into the public limelight.
My journey to Seattle began at 5 am on Friday, Nov. 26. Three of us in Humboldt State University's Globalization and the Environment graduate program headed north along California's Redwood Highway in total darkness, eager for the days to come. Through our studies we'd become all too familiar with the WTO and its potential threat to hard-won laws protecting worker's rights, public safety, and the environment. For us, this was an opportunity to see history in the making and perhaps even to make some history of our own.
After hours of rain on our drive through the Pacific Northwest, hopeful rays of sunshine broke through the clouds en route to Seattle. As we drove with friends into West Seattle for dinner, a brilliant orange glow reflected off the towering downtown skyline to the east, almost as a beacon to those soon to descend upon its streets.
Although the city had not yet been besieged with protests, the battle lines had already been drawn. Bus after bus drove down Seattle's central corridors emblazoned with partisan advertising. One featured a montage of up-beat industry photographs next to the phrase, "Trade: Making Life Better." Another showed clear-cut forestlands and polluted riverways with a question asking "What are we trading away?"
Our cohort arrived just in time for the start of the "Teach-In on Globalization and the Role of the WTO" sponsored by the San Francisco-based International Forum on Globalization (IFG). Seattle's mammoth Benaroya Hall wasn't hosting one of its usual symphony performances that night. Instead, it became base camp for thousands of concerned citizens and environmental, labor, consumer, public health, and Third World activists -- all of whom shared common cause in their disdain for the WTO.
Forum Chair Jerry Mander set the tone for the week by asserting the coalition's principal demand: "There must be no new round of negotiations until governments and civil society have made a complete reassessment of the WTO." At this, the crowd burst into heated applause.
Mander noted that 52 of the biggest 100 economies in the world are now corporations, the rest of which are entire nations. "In the end, corporations are gaining freedom and nations and citizens are losing freedom," he said, aiming his remark at WTO policies that command member nations to adopt the "least trade-restrictive" laws governing trade.
Susan George of Amsterdam, Holland's Transnational Institute rallied the crowd when she cried, "The trade bureaucrats forgot about the people. That's why we're fighting the 'Battle of Seattle'!" Suddenly, most people sprang to their feet, clapping, whistling, and cheering.
Building on the theme of WTO exclusiveness, Martin Khor of Penang, Malaysia's Third World Network noted that "they don't vote in the WTO. That would prevent the United States government from getting its way. Democracy is threatening to the sustainability of the WTO."
Seattle's police were decked out in riot gear throughout the week. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Even so, John Cavanaugh of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Policy Studies sounded optimistic, stating that the "momentum of history is moving from the corporate suites to the Seattle streets."
Following Cavanaugh, renowned environmental justice activist Vandana Shiva took center stage, dressed in traditional Indian attire. In forceful, passionate tones she asserted that "the WTO is not about free trade. It's about forced trade." She went on to explain how the intellectual property rights agreement under consideration by the WTO would allow companies to exclusively patent seeds used for centuries by traditional farmers and then outlaw their ability to save seed for future cropping cycles. "This is nothing less than the rape and theft of our cultural and biological heritage," Shiva proclaimed.
Similar speakers' forums, workshops, and panel discussions continued throughout the weekend. Representatives from labor unions, food policy institutes, environmental organizations, human rights groups, and Third World justice networks all were on hand to discuss the WTO's far-reaching impacts.
After a Saturday morning session on sustainable agriculture, actor Danny Glover made a surprise appearance. Smiling widely at the sight of thousands of supporters before him, Glover shouted, "I'm here to meet my allies!"
Many speakers stressed the importance of exempting subsistence farming practices from WTO rules, arguing that meeting local food needs should come before the export demands of the global market. Others warned of a "race to the bottom" in labor and environmental standards as countries are compelled by the WTO to rescind national and local laws protecting their people.
The dangers of biotechnology were also a major topic given the United States' efforts to overturn the European Union's ban on select genetically modified food imports. Mae-Wan Ho of London's Institute of Science for Society painted a frightful picture of agricultural biotechnology, noting that new research is showing that cross-species "genetic engineering is creating unstable new life forms that are engendering new viruses, some of which could be lethal."
One controversial provision of the WTO, Article III, states that foreign products "shall be accorded treatment no less favorable" than local or domestic ones. In the context of the European food dispute, Steven Shrybman of Vancouver, Canada's West Coast Environmental Law Center said this rule essentially means that "you do not have the right to consent to the food you eat."
Media reports continued to filter into the hall throughout the teach-in. Helena Norberg-Hodge of Ladakh's International Society for Ecology and Culture read approvingly from the latest issue of the Economist magazine, which warned that WTO "critics are winning the battle for public opinion."
A sense of renewed confidence began to permeate the conference. Tony Clarke of Ottawa, Canada's Polaris Institute summed it up this way: "We're moving from being on the defensive to being on the offensive." An uproarious standing ovation followed this comment, making it difficult not to believe him.
Starting on Monday morning, educational and activist forums moved to the First United Methodist Church. Here, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Rep. Maxine Walters (D-CA) and a host of environmental and labor leaders rallied the troops as they prepared for the first major march through downtown Seattle.
At noon, people began spilling out of the church onto the streets. Several hundred were outfitted in sea turtle costumes to highlight a recent WTO ruling against a provision of the Endangered Species Act requiring imported shrimp to be caught using turtle-excluder devices. Members of the United Steelworkers of America were also in full force, showing their solidarity with environmentalists and other citizen activists.
Hundreds of environmentalists in turtle costumes (courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States) paraded through Seattle's streets. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Signs were held high reading "WTO: Fix It or Nix It" while others showed pictures of dolphins, foxes, and turtles with a caption reading "I'm Not a Trade Barrier!" Organized by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, and an array of labor and public health groups, the "People's March for Clean, Green and Fair Trade" proceeded toward the Washington Trade and Convention Center amidst shouts of "Just Say No to the WTO" and other slogans.
That night, the United Methodist Church was packed to the hilt as concerned citizens and activists convened for an "Interfaith Prayer Service" organized by the Jubilee 2000 Coalition, a group campaigning for debt relief for the world's poorest nations.
Earl Shinhoster, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, spoke stridently of the burden that developing nations feel in the face of billions of dollars of debt to wealthy nations. "It's time to cancel the debt of the world's most heavily indebted nations," he said.
An array of ceremonial invocations followed, featuring religious leaders from Native American traditions, Judaism, Unitarian-Universalism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. The gospel/folk group Sweet Honey and the Rock performed a spirited rendition of "I'm Gonna Let It Shine," bringing those congregated into a fit of euphoric rhythmic clapping and song.
Through the stain-glassed panes of this house of worship one could hear drumbeats and shouts of "No, No, WTO" from thousands of fellow protesters assembled outside. After the ceremony, church-goers joined them in the streets, forming a solid line of participants stretching for at least ten blocks.
Our intent was to form a human chain around the colossal Seattle Exhibition Center in which WTO delegates were conducting their opening gala. Once we were within sight of the center, however, we were met with a huge police blockade which had fenced off the entire street in front of the WTO gathering.
In frustration, some protesters shook the fences back and forth in the vain hope of cajoling the police to let us through. But after an hour or so, a clear stalemate had been reached. In the distance, a full-color electronic marquee displayed graphic fireworks interspersed with the message "Welcome World Trade Organization." Unfortunately, it became painfully clear that not all were welcome.
As the crowd dispersed, we encountered a middle-aged woman dressed in rainbow-colored garb, her face glistening with white makeup and sparkling glitter. Calling herself the "Rainbow Lady," this long-time Seattle resident said she hadn't witnessed such popular protest in her town since the 1960s. The gleam in her eye showed just how happy she was to witness the revival.
On Tuesday morning, our cohort bussed back downtown and joined an entourage of protesters who were heading toward the Seattle Trade and Convention Center where the 3rd WTO Ministerial Meeting was scheduled to commence. As we made it over the hill facing north, a vast sea of humanity lay before us as far as the eye could see.
Scores of students blocked major intersections in downtown Seattle, some of whom formed human circles with metal sleeves that connected them together in solidarity. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
At the intersection of University and 4th Street, over 200 students sat in a circle with metal sleeves connecting their linked-up arms. Organizers were prepping them for the confrontations to come, urging those with doubts to bow out while they still had the chance. Others walked around with water and vinegar, dousing bandanas for students to use as makeshift facemasks in the event of tear gas attacks.
We passed a line of police officers wearing Kevlar vests and shielded helmets. Most stood solemnly by as various protesters peered beyond them into the security perimeter that had been set up to prevent access to the Convention Center. Rumors began circulating that police had started using rubber bullets against protesters nearby.
This McDonald's suffered the same fate as numerous other corporate chain stores and franchises. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Various marching lines passed in every direction, the largest of which easily numbered in the tens of thousands and featured labor groups ranging from the U.S. Teamsters to the International Workers of the World.
As we rounded the corner heading east toward the center, a trashed McDonald's restaurant starkly came into view. Its front windows were broken and all side windows were boarded-up. Just beyond, a Gap store and a Starbucks had suffered similar fates, but with the added injury of being covered with bright red anarchy symbols.
Fellow protesters began speculating that anarchists based in Eugene, Oregon had taken advantage of the situation to foment violent outrage. Our suspicions were confirmed as young people dressed in dark outfits with their faces covered appeared sporadically on balconies where they spray-painted anti-WTO slogans on buildings around downtown.
Dozens of anarchists also took to the streets of Seattle with their own style of direct action. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Some protesters formed human blockades in front of storefronts with broken windows in an effort to prevent further property damage. A van blared music at an intersection where many of the WTO delegates were staying in nearby hotels. The "disc jockey" urged everyone to remain peaceful and to direct their energies toward constructive civil disobedience. Protesters danced to techno and pop music as a group calling themselves the "People's Delegation for Social Justice" blocked access to The Roosevelt hotel.
Joan Weiss, a Machinists Union member, was one of a thousand designated peacekeepers who attempted to maintain order as the marches continued throughout the afternoon. "There've been no major incidents," she told me at around 2:00 pm.
Soon after, the music van operator announced that protesters were being cleared from a nearby intersection by police using tear gas and rubber bullets. Once the marching orders had been given, several dozen dancing protesters immediately departed to assist their beleaguered comrades.
A few blocks east of the hotel standoff, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Paramount Theater where WTO delegates had been prevented from meeting that morning. We had heard that the official meeting had been delayed by several hours, but we soon began viewing delegates walking in and out of the Convention Center, which was cordoned off for at least a block and half by city police.
Suddenly, liberal film producer Michael Moore waltzed onto the scene and confronted the police standing guard. Moore, known for his ability to get into corporate headquarters where he typically lambasts greedy CEOs, shouted a proposition through a bullhorn: "If they're really for free trade, why not trade me for (WTO director general) Mike Moore." The crowd burst into laughter at the suggestion and began shouting "Let Mike In!" to police.
This dumpster was tipped over and set on fire during a melee with police. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
Reports began to fly of increasing clashes with police, prompting our group to go and investigate. As we walked west on Pike Street, we saw hundreds of people surrounding what appeared to be huge bonfire in the middle of the street. One of my fellow grad students, Aghaghia Rahimzadeh, said it reminded her of the Iranian Revolution.
As we neared the intersection, the caustic smell of tear gas filled the air. My eyes started burning and a warm sensation filled my lungs. I quickly covered my face with my sweater in an attempt to avoid breathing in the fumes. The fire turned out to be a tipped-over dumpster that had been set ablaze during an earlier battle with police. Only a few feet away, a line of police officers decked in riot gear stood before an armored police vehicle blocking further access to any side streets.
Rebel medics toured the streets with water and protective masks at the ready. Photo: Aghaghia Rahimzadeh |
In other parts of downtown, police began a major push to clear the streets, dispersing the crowd with flashbang concussion grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Rebel medics were touring the streets offering fellow protesters water and protective masks. With tensions mounting, we decided to seek safer ground.
On our way out of downtown, we ducked into a local restaurant where hoisted television sets showed nervous local broadcasters who broke in with live feeds of the melees taking place only blocks away. All three local news teams focused exclusively on the confrontations between protesters and the police for most of the evening.
Seattle Mayor Paul Schell declared a state of civil emergency and imposed a curfew downtown which covered everyone except those with "proper WTO credentials." With President Clinton scheduled arrive that night, the police took no chances by securing a several block buffer zone around the Westin Hotel where he would be staying.
Needless to say, the intensity of these events led my small group of fellow travelers to wonder what the rest of the American public and the rest of the world would think of the "Battle of Seattle." On our ride back to Humboldt County the next day, we grabbed every newspaper we could get our hands on in small towns along the way.
Although reports differed, one thing remained clear: the WTO would no longer be some shadowy institution hidden from public view. As author Bill McKibben wrote in a recent column, "The era when global trade decisions get made without anyone noticing is officially over."
When the week drew to a close, the WTO talks reportedly collapsed in disarray. To the extent that the protests contributed to this outcome, they were an undeniable success. When the WTO meets again, its members will undoubtedly recall vivid scenes of mass protest, and hopefully, will remember that true democracy requires far more than participation by trade ministers.
Aaron G. Lehmer, Earth Island's Website Manager, is a graduate student in Humboldt State University's Globalization and the Environment program. He is also the founder of ProgressiveRockers.com, an online showcase of classic and contemporary rock artists who use their talents to promote social and environmental causes.
