On December 2, 1999, World Trade Organization (WTO) demonstrators shift
their focus from the WTO to the Seattle Police and to the freedom of approximately
600 demonstrators who are in custody at the King County Jail.
8:00 am |
The Bon Marche and Pacific Place open, but close early. Nordstrom
and Westlake Center, inside the protest restriction zone, open,
but shoppers can be challenged and turned away by police.
|
9:00 am |
WTO Plenary Session is scheduled at the Convention Center.
|
9:00 am |
Trade and Environment Issues (invitation only) is scheduled at
the Bell Harbor International. (Sponsored by Seattle Host Organization.)
|
9:00 am |
Day of the Americas trade education exhibition is scheduled at
the Seattle Center. (Sponsored by Coalition for Trade with the Americas.)
|
9:00 am |
More than a dozen community leaders from Capitol Hill meet with
Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and Police Chief Norm Stamper and hear
complaints of police conduct.
|
9:00 am |
The Seattle Police Department becomes the target of protesters
instead of the WTO.
|
9:00 a.m. |
Metro bus service is shut down in Seattle's central business district.
|
11:00 am |
Protesters rally on Capitol Hill and march to Steinbrueck Park
at the Pike Place Market. They are joined by demonstrators concerned
about agricultural issues. Market businesses close up to avoid clashes
between police and demonstrators.
|
11:00 am |
The City Council meeting to ratify the gas mask ban is canceled
because of ongoing protests.
|
11:30 am |
"The German Perspective on the WTO" luncheon is scheduled
at the Space Needle.
(Sponsored by German American Chamber of Commerce.)
|
12:00 pm |
Police adopt lower profile.
|
12:00 pm |
One thousand persons gather for Food and Agriculture Rally to support
family farmers. At the end of the rally, one group heads toward
the Cargill Grain Terminal and another heads toward the King County
Jail.
|
1:30 pm |
At the King County Jail, protesters read demands over bullhorns:
Immediate release of protesters; Drop all charges; A public apology;
Shut down the WTO.
|
2:00 pm |
Agricultural and Trade Workshops on food security is scheduled
at the Pike Place Market.
|
3:00 pm |
"Growing Divide" discussion is scheduled at the Musicians
Club, 2620 3rd Avenue.
(Sponsored by United for a Fair Economy.)
|
3:00 pm |
City Hall is locked down because of protesters at the jail.
|
3:00 pm |
Mayor Schell eases prohibitions against protests in the restricted
zone. Demonstrators gather at the Paramount Theater until evening.
|
3:30 pm |
Demonstrators gather at King County Jail to demand release of
jailed protesters.
|
4:00 pm |
King County Superior Court Judge Michael Spearman orders that arrested
protesters be given access to legal counsel within eight hours of
arrest, except for those who are "physically uncooperative"
with the booking process. This includes the failure to give a true
name.
|
6:00 pm |
Mayor Schell trims the downtown area that is restricted to WTO
delegates, workers, and persons on official business.
|
6:00 pm |
One hundred persons gather at Pine Street and Boylston Avenue and
dozens of officers stand by, but the armored car is kept out of
sight.
|
7:00 pm |
Hundreds of protesters block King County Jail. Jail staff agrees
to admit an attorney and a protest leader to see prisoners. The
crowd then disperses. Capt. Ron Griffin, King County Sheriff's Office,
says, "You know what? They even picked up their trash when
they left."
|
Two persons are arrested on Thursday in connection
with protests.
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* Compiled from media accounts
by HistoryLink.org
Used with permission |