The ACTivist Volume 16, Number 1

Conscientious global activists for peace, human rights, the environment, labour rights and faith communities were aware that something sinister has been moving behind closed doors at the World Trade Organization [WTO] since 1995.

The WTO system and its 18 agreements came to light and life in Seattle, Washington, USA on Tuesday, November 30, 1999. Over 50,000 workers and global activists marched and stopped the WTO convention delegates from attending the opening ceremonies. Seattle made headlines all over the world. Forty union buses from Vancouver were well appreciated.

Many began to read up on the WTO and its misdeeds. The WTO system andits agreements and many undemocratic decisions could form the basis of articles, books or even a course. An alternate symposium/conference was happening at many downtown Seattle churches, hotels and a Labour Temple, as it is named.

Here are the highlights of the week of protest that caught the multinationals and their compliant governments by surprise. [Click on photos for larger view]

Blockading the City Centre

The easy-going activists were up before 6 AM and ready with their commitments, courage and plans to blockade the Seattle city-centre. They marched down various main avenues of Seattle to catch the early traffic. As we arrived downtown, we found that we were not the only early risers. The Seattle police were up too. They had already blocked many of the main streets with long double length buses so that we could not march right in front of the Convention Centre. [photo]

The Seattle strategists had already worked out a very decentralized way of cornering the many corners around the Convention Centre. The group I was with was a musical band from Seattle. They uplifted our spirits throughout the day. Well-equipped with gas masks, they were undeterred by tear gas or pepper spray.

As we met the police blockade, some others put up a large 6-metre high tripod at an overpass on Pine Street - a main downtown street with an adventuring activist swinging from it. Dozens of people whose hands were linked by mysterious means inside heavy pipes blockaded the street leading to the Convention Centre. We were determined to be non-violent, so we did not clash with the blockading police, but just surrounded them.

Since the Police were keeping us out of the WTO Convention Centre, we decided to block the delegates from going into the Convention Centre. Really, we were protesting the decisions being made behind closed doors.

Delegates turned back

As the delegates arrived, they were politely turned around. Some decided to play rough and play rugby out of duty to their undemocratic jobs - of profit before people. They did not succeed at our corner and many others. The Cameroon delegation of three [photo]was persuaded by me to not proceed. After some explanation, they obliged. The turn out at the opening ceremony was reported to be about ten percent by the Seattle dailies. The agenda of the WTO was late to start and never did reach the finish line.

A delegate brushed passed me only to be stopped by some others. As their conversation was reaching an impasse, I tugged him from the back, pulling at his overcoat belt. He was distracted and turned to face me, but realized the futility of the exercise and gave up. He turned back. [photo]

As I moved from corner to corner inspecting Seattle and the blockade, I observed the many tactics used by the protesters. At one location the police had put up high chain link fences to stop us from entering a park that led to the convention centre. Many activists who were well equipped with U-locks [photo], decided to lock themselves to the fences so that they could not be moved opening a path for the delegates. At another intersection, a group in a circle just sat down linked in arms. [photo]

Some delegates came in expensive limousines and had no chance of going through. Walking was not an option either. Only the helicopters high above our heads crossed the blockade. Thanks to the tall downtown buildings, they had to keep their distance.

Alternate Forums well attended

It was difficult to attend the many simultaneous forums held at over six different locations. Some of them were inside or on the perimeter of the downtown core, heavily guarded and denied to citizens from risk-free entry.

All US Members of Congress are not for the WTO including congressman Peter Defazio and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The US congress is increasingly seen as the mouthpiece of the business lobby. One Canadian MP, Bill Blaikie was there to inform the downside of FTA/NAFTA to the largely American audience. He complained that when we [Canadians] say what you [Americans] are saying about FTA/NAFTA, we are accused of being Canadian nationalists. Americans roared and clapped in approval of his barb.

From the Headquarters of the Earth Day organization in downtown Seattle, the consistent concern expressed was "Is economic progress going to kill the planet?" This was the theme at many other alternate forums.

'WTO' had different meanings at these forums. It stood for different things for different interests. Feminists flogged ‘Women Take Over.' Anarchists insisted ‘World Terrorist Organization.' Democrats shouted ‘We are Taking Over.’ All the audience agreed ‘We are Ticked Off.’ The message was clear -- WTO is unacceptable as a behind-the-doors, secretive, unaccountable and undemocratic organization. If it comes to be, what it wanted to be in Seattle, then it would be the living proof of the Golden Rule: ‘The man with the Gold makes the Rule.’

The Police Attack

At one of the corners, I joined the protesters who were linking arms and shoutingmany slogans. One of them was new to me. It went like 'We are nonviolent, How about you?’ I felt safe shouting that, and it lulled the crowd into a false sense of security. I could not see what was ahead, but suddenly there went a canister of tear gas. I saw people pulling away from where it landed. Some wetted their hankies and washed their eyes with water, and covered their faces. I did not have to wonder for too long, as it came at me too. So for the first time, I literally cried for the World, along with many people from the world, but largely from Seattle.

At some locations, they had a taste of pepper spray -- similar to the APEC fame in Vancouver. As if that is not enough munitions for a non-violent public protestin a democracy, they had to resort to using rubber/plastic bullets. They are kindof harmless, if they catch one on a thick winter coat, but on open skin they can cause unbearable pain without blood oozing out. Maybe an ugly black and blue mark! At least two people were hit on or near their eyes.

I met one of them after two days, and she was still largely unable to see through one eye. To add insult to injury, she is an American woman, a strict Gandhian followerand CBC fan from Colville, Washington. Her name -- ‘Life has Meaning.’ Some meaning, some bullet!

Over 500 people were arrested for peaceful protest. We had a long evening 'sit in' in front of the jail chanting ‘Let them go, Let them go!’ Many were let go. A scheduled meeting of the City Council on 2 DEC 99 that week was canceled,as we the protesters were going to attend it. The following week they approved the Mayor’s previous order to clear the downtown core. That motion had three dissenters on the Council. The Police Chief resigned for his handling of the scene. It was not just Life has Meaning who got a black spot. The Police Chiefand the City of Seattle got one too!

Democracy Redefined

If democracy was ever of the people, by the people and for the people, it was not that week in Seattle. As long as the lifeless corporations can donate a small amount out of their big bottom-line to the political campaigns, the people's democracy will be undermined by the corporate financing of elections. Without people-only financing, the democracy has become the democracy of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations. Not surprisingly the largest banner read: ‘The Corporate Media diverts your attention from Police & WTO violence.’

During that week in Seattle, I learned that the Police will attack to save the democratic leaders of the corporations, under the misguided and misinformed perception that they are defending the democratic leaders of the people.

Western democracies with their long history of national colonialism are now ona new offensive of OECD [Organization of Economic Co-operation & Development]colonialism. The governments of impoverished colonies remain enslaved on the WTO dotted line.