Repurcussions

Seattle Police Chief Resigns • Seattle City Council hearings • Second City Council Hearings

Stamper resigns as Seattle Police Chief on December 6, 1999, in wake of WTO unrest

On December 6, 1999, Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper announces that he will resign and that he takes full responsibility for the unrest which closed the Central Business District and disrupted World Trade Organization (WTO) talks that took place in Seattle from November 29, 1999 to December 3, 1999. Stamper says that he had made up his mind a month ago that he would announce his retirement in January 2000, but that the events surrounding the WTO changed that timetable. Stamper hoped that his move would "depoliticize" the job of Chief of Police, as several investigations open into police misconduct during the demonstrations surrounding the WTO meetings.

Stamper later wrote, "But right now, I think it's appropriate for me to correct some misunderstandings about who was responsible for the WTO public-safety plan and the tactical decisions that affected law enforcement throughout the week."

"I am."

"The implication in some news stories and editorials that Mayor Schell intervened in or countermanded my recommendations or those of my assistant chiefs is entirely false. At no time did Mayor Schell overrule me or make any changes in the public safety plan, as some in the media have claimed." (The Seattle Times).

Chief Stamper served his last day on February 18, 2000.

* Compiled from media accounts by HistoryLink.org. Used with permission

Seattle City Council hearing on WTO unrest, the first, lasts eight hours on December 8, 1999.

On December 8, 1999, the Seattle City Council opens hearings into failures by Seattle police and civilian officials in planning for and dealing with protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the week of November 30, 1999. The meeting room at the Seattle Public Library, which accommodates 200 persons, is quickly filled for the 4:00 p.m. meeting. Speakers line up out the library doors and around the block in a pouring rain for a chance at three minutes to testify. Of 120 speakers, only three commend Seattle police for their efforts in controlling crowds and unrest. The meeting adjourns after eight hours of testimony.

After the hearing, Councilman Jim Compton, who was assigned to head an ad-hoc Council investigation of the WTO events, stated, "It galvanized my determination to get some answers for what the hell went wrong. There were some genuine horror stories I heard."

Mayor Paul Schell had asked to attend the hearings, but he was told by Council President Sue Donaldson that the hearing was a "council event."

Because of the large interest in the hearings, Council President Donaldson scheduled a second hearing on December 14, 1999, at the Seattle Center.

* Compiled from media accounts by HistoryLink.org. Used with permission

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Seattle City Council hearing into WTO unrest, the second, lasts 10 hours on December 14, 1999.

On December 14, 1999, the Seattle City Council holds the second of its hearings into the unrest surrounding the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting during the week of November 30, 1999. The council hears some 175 witnesses during the 10-hour hearing. Approximately 200 people attend the hearing held in the Seattle Center Pavilion. The hearing ends at 1:55 a.m.

At the first hearing on December 8, 1999, held at the Seattle Public Library, more than 500 people turned out and many were turned away.

The combined 18 hours of testimony represented the longest hearings in Seattle history. A total of 295 persons spoke to the council. One group called the Raging Grannies wore caps and feathers and sang a song. At the conclusion of the hearing, Councilman Nick Licata said that it appeared that all the attendees had their say and he doubted that another hearing would be necessary.

According to Seattle Times reporter Jeff Hodson, "Many waited hours for their turn to speak. When they did, they railed against globalization, police brutality, the media and a host of social ills. At various times, it felt like a town-hall meeting, political rally and variety show."

On December 13, 1999, the City Council voted to impanel a three-person committee to investigate the events surrounding the WTO event. Councilman Jim Compton was assigned to head the panel, which would have the power to subpoena documents and testimony.

* Compiled from media accounts by HistoryLink.org. Used with permission

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