The tousled hair, multiple piercings, and disheveled appearance of many anti-WTO protesters make them seem like a disorganized lot, but there is a method in the madness.

The scene at the Direct Action Network headquarters in downtown Seattle has a strong sense of community, despite the non-comformist make-up of the individuals milling about. Activists are busily preparing themselves and one another, through non-violence training workshops, legal solidarity trainings, medical emergency planning, and puppet and sign- making, for the direct actions that many hope will shut down this week’s WTO meetings.

Part of the method is feigned madness. A diversity of actions keeps the authorities from pinning the protesters down. The activists use a unifying structure and set of guidelines, organized around "affinity groups" and "clusters" and guided by the principles of non-violence, which people interpret in differing ways.

Seeds of Peace is providing a steady stream of food for the protesters, who are networking to find other like-minded individuals with whom to protest this week. "We’re helping to support people who are opposed to this," said Echo Whitaker, as she ladeled out a bowl of black bean soup to a purple-haired protester. "Food brings people together." There is a strong emphasis on the need for non-violent protests on Tuesday. "It’s very much a non-violent thing for me," said Jenny, an activist who was busily painting noise-makers outside the headquarters. "We can’t put out violent energy to try to stop a violent machine."

Karen Levy

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