Demonstrators mark WTO protest with new march through Seattle streets

Demonstrators march down a Seattle street on Thursday

In this story: Topless protesters 'We're ba-ack' but calmer RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

SEATTLE, Washington -- Roughly 2,000 demonstrators marched downtown Thursday to mark the anniversary of last year's violent protest against the World Trade Organization.

Carrying signs and chanting, the protesters filled one downtown block, blocking traffic at times. Scores of police, some in riot gear, surrounded the demonstrators. Police also came out on horseback and bicycles.

Unlike last year, there did not appear to be any fights between the two sides, and no tear gas was launched. There were no reported injuries.

"The protesters have been nonviolent, expressing their opinion," said Larry Vogel, a spokesman for the Seattle Police Department. "They have been very vocal, but there's no violence."

Vogel said there were three arrests: One man was arrested on a narcotics charge, another suspect was arrested for damaging a patrol car and a third suspect was arrested for sending a threatening e-mail to a city official.

Topless protesters

Vogel said most businesses remained open during the demonstration, which started just before rush hour.

Police cars occupy an intersection in Seattle while demonstrators march nearby on Thursday

A mile away, about 300 people held a separate rally and later marched downtown to join the celebration. Marijuana smoke wafted through this crowd, which included members of the Seattle Lesbian Avengers with slogans on their nude upper bodies: "End corporate greed" and "WTO hurts this vegan body."

"The reason we're going topless is because it affects our bodies," said Molly Bolt, whose back read: "WTO IMF Word Bank Amerikkka -- the four horsemen of the Apocalypse."

The WTO, a trade alliance of 140 countries, has become a target for a wide range of activists who believe it represents corporate globalization and gives short shrift to the environment and workers.

Last year, 50,000 protesters crammed into downtown and shut down WTO sessions as overwhelmed police fired tear gas and rubber bullets. There were some 600 arrests and $3 million in property damage. Police Chief Norm Stamper later retired.

'We're ba-ack' but calmer

City officials, who had discouraged anniversary rallies, refused to say how many police were deployed during Thursday's demonstration. A few officers were in riot gear, but most were uniformed and wearing nametags during the day.

Some protesters carried signs bearing such messages as, "We're ba-ack" and "We haven't forgotten WTO," while others were dressed in black -- reminiscent of the masked, black-clad self-declared anarchists who kicked in store windows and set off the wave of downtown destruction last year.

Nine Starbucks stores were damaged late Tuesday or early Wednesday -- there were broken windows, glue in locks and spray-painted walls marked with a circled "A."

But Thursday was much calmer, with some demonstrators even chanting for pastries.

"It's a good cause," said organizer Frost Thompson. "I mean, who doesn't want a jelly doughnut?"

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Community Action Network - WTO N30 Anniversary Calendar
Seattle Area WTO Anniversary Events Calendar
World Trade Organization (WTO)
City of Seattle's Official Web Site
Seattle Police Department
Starbucks

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