Final meeting held for WTO anniversary

Associated Press

Anti-World Trade Organization activists called a final gathering Sunday in downtown Seattle — with speakers, performers and a drum circle — to mark the anniversary of riotous disturbances that disrupted last year’s WTO meeting here.

The gathering at City Hall Park, dubbed "Chant Down Babylon," is "meant to bring spiritual-political closure to a week of activism calling attention to corporate globalism’s priority for short-term profit over life," said Mark Taylor-Canfield of the Roundtable on Environmental and Economic Justice.

The biggest anniversary gathering was held Thursday, one year after 50,000 demonstrators clogged downtown, setting the stage for a confrontation with authority that has made "Seattle!" a rallying cry for a new generation of protesters.

About 2,000 people held peaceful protests downtown and on Capitol Hill during daylight hours Thursday, but scores — including an Associated Press reporter caught in a crowd — were arrested later.

Police say some demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at officers. Protesters, reporters and legal observers say activists were hemmed in by officers and could not disperse as ordered.

Most of those arrested were released Friday on their own recognizance. A handful, facing felony charges, remained in custody Sunday at the King County Jail.

One man was held on $5,000 bail, accused of injuring a policeman. Officer Ron Michizuki was treated for an eye injury and released.

Bail was set at $1,000 for another protester, also accused of felony assault on an officer for throwing a large firecracker into a group of police.

Last year, authorities were overwhelmed by the sheer number of mostly peaceful protesters. Then vandalism by a handful of self-styled anarchists prompted a wave of violence that caused about $3 million in property damage.

The clashes led to more than 630 arrests, civil-rights lawsuits and the sudden early resignation of former Police Chief Norm Stamper.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

Everett
Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Report: No wrongdoing in Everett mayor’s romance with deputy mayor

An attorney hired by the city found no misuse of public funds. Texts between the two last year, however, were not saved on their personal phones.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Troopers: DUI crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Maltby

A drunken driver, 34, was arrested after her pickup rear-ended another truck late Tuesday, injuring a Snohomish man, 28.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

Smoke comes out of the roof of ReMyx'd, a restaurant on Smokey Point Drive, on Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Arlington, WA. (IAFF Local 3438)
Fire damages Arlington bar that received death threats

Arlington Police say initial indications are that fire at ReMyx’d does not appear to be intentionally set.

Most Read