Main Context of what the protest was:

In 1999, Seattle was selected to host the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference. The WTO is a global international organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations. Multi-agency began planning in March through the City of Seattle Public Safety Committee with the aim of ensuring the safety for both the participants and freedom of expression for protestors.

The conference began in November 1999 and sparked one of the largest political protests ever seen in Seattle. Thousands of activists hit the Seattle streets to block a major WTO conference. Protesters focused on issues and concerns about workers' rights, sustainable economies, and environmental and social issues. On the first morning of the conference, with downtown streets and intersections unable to be cleared and following acts of vandalism on local businesses, the Mayor of Seattle declared a civil emergency. On November 30, The Governor declared a state of emergency. Publicized worldwide in the media, Seattle was criticized for mishandling the protests and for being unprepared.

Months of analysis followed the WTO conference, exploring issues surrounding the rights of free speech and assembly, abuse by officers, and mistreatment of individuals detained during the protest.

Background: 

On November 30, 1999, 50,000 activists, union members, and residents came together to start protesting at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting. Bill Clinton, president at the time, invited 700 trade officials from 134 countries to Seattle to discuss expanding the WTO. However, until then, only a few people have heard of the WTO. The WTO was established five years before, in 1995, to enforce a new set of global trade agreements. In the past, trade in goods and reducing tariffs as barriers to trade were dealt with by international trade agreements. However, the 1994 agreement that created the WTO went way further than that, covering trade in services, requiring rules to protect "intellectual property" (government-granted rights like patents and trademarks), and allowing unelected panels to block "non-tariff barriers to trade," such as health and environmental rules. By 1999, WTO panels had often ruled in favor of big companies and against rules meant to protect dolphins, sea turtles, food safety, and more. What took place in Seattle from November 28 to December 3 was a response to all of that. It resulted from nine months of focused planning and alliance-building. Labor and environmental organizations devoted substantial resources to the effort. Labor's most significant impact was the huge turnout on November 30, the first day of the four-day WTO summit. Around 25,000 union members and their supporters gathered at Memorial Stadium in Seattle Center and along with an additional 10,000 students, environmentalists, and community members marched a mile to the Washington Convention Center. There, they joined another 15,000 people already demonstrating in the streets. It was a logistical achievement for labor groups that have not been matched since. From San Francisco to British Columbia, around 30 national AFL-CIO staff collaborated with partners in organizations like Jobs with Justice to secure commitments from local unions and manage the transportation arrangements for attendees.

Who was a part of the protests? 

The 1999 WTO Seattle protests or most famously known as the “Battle of Seattle”, involved a large and diverse coalition of groups and individuals that opposed the World Trade Organization’s policies. Activists from labor unions, environmental organizations, human rights groups, and student movements joined forces with anarchists and grassroots organizations. Prominent labor unions, such as the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), played a significant role, voicing concerns about the impact of globalization on workers’ rights and domestic jobs. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, protested the WTO's perceived neglect of ecological sustainability. Human rights advocates criticized the organization for enabling practices that exploited workers in developing countries. Additionally, a decentralized network of anarchists and anti-globalization activists contributed to the protests, often using direct action tactics. This union of interests highlighted a shared discontent with the WTO’s approach to trade liberalization and its lack of transparency and accountability.

Overview

Often referred to as the "Battle of Seattle," the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle which lasted 6 days in november, represented a pivotal moment in global activism. A diverse coalition of labor unions, environmental groups, human rights advocates, students, and grassroots organizations united to challenge the policies of the World Trade Organization. With over 50,000 participants, the protests were fueled by concerns regarding the effects of globalization on workers’ rights, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Labor unions, particularly the AFL-CIO, rallied thousands to draw attention to job displacement and exploitation, while environmental activists criticized the WTO for neglecting ecological protections. Human rights advocates denounced practices that took advantage of workers in developing nations, and anarchists used disruptive tactics to confront the WTO’s perceived lack of transparency and accountability. Despite extensive planning and coalition-building, the protests escalated into significant disruptions, resulting in vandalism and clashes that led to a civil emergency declaration. This event became a global emblem of anti-globalization movements and ignited ongoing discussions about trade, fairness, and the delicate balance between public safety and the right to protest.