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Seattle Community Network |
Thursday,
November 30, 2000 |
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November 30
"The events marking the first anniversary of the Seattle Fair Trade demonstrations are celebrations of a profound turning point in the history of international trade. From a global perspective, the Seattle demonstrations are almost universally viewed as a pivotal factor in redirecting the globalization debate to include environmental, human rights, labor standards, consumer protection, and national and local self-determination. "Locally, however, some view the demonstrations last year as unwelcome inconveniences and embarrassments. Some of the press have repeated the fiction that the demonstrations were 'riots' by 'fringe' groups. ... History provides ample evidence of impaired civil rights of groups thus characterized. ... "... Some may have 'parade permits;' some may not. Parade permit requirements effectively require citizens to ask permission for the right to assemble. Courts have voided and cast aside many such ordinances. ... Yet, Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has promised that demonstrators filling streets without a rally or march permit will be arrested. ... "In any discussion around Westlake Center and its use it is important to note the venerable words of the United States Supreme Court: 'Use of the streets in public places [for assembly and debate of public questions] has, from ancient times, been a part of the privileges, immunities, rights and liberties of citizens.' ... "The existing, and perhaps unconstitutional, exclusive two-month permit issued to a Downtown Seattle Business organization to operate a carousel must not be used as an excuse to deny the exercise of free speech at Westlake for even one day."
"Any response by police must ensure that the rights to peacefully assemble and to express political views are respected. Unlawful conduct by a few should not be used as an excuse to restrict the lawful conduct of others. A small number of people who destroy property can be arrested without punishing everyone else in a peaceful march. "Secondly: When dealing with individuals who are breaking the law, police must use force proportionately and with discretion. Using more force than is necessary to maintain order is likely to inflame a crowd and escalate a confrontation. It also may jeopardize the safety of bystanders. Tear gas and pepper spray are not appropriate weapons to use against people who pose no threat to officer or public safety." ...
- Odin Bettinger, November 29, 2000
"The Northwest Forum invites you to participate in a discussion with... Alexander Cockburn and Jefferey St. Clair, authors of Five Days that Shook the World: the Battle for Seattle and Beyond. "Taking you onto the streets of Seattle with on the spot reporting and photographs, Cockburn and St. Clair also look at the broader issues raised by the protest: the secretive and undemocratic practice of the WTO, the trampling on rights to assembly and free speech by deploying the military to put down protest, and the menace to individual liberties of globalization and offshore government." Info: Northwest Forum (206) 221-3839 or nwforum@u.washington.edu
"King County Labor Council is organizing a press conference to highlight the work for justice in our global economy, with speakers including Sally Soriano of People for Fair Trade / No WTO; David Korten, Positive Futures, author of When Corporations Rule the World; Larry Dohrs, Burma Campaign; Michael Ramos, Jubilee 2000; Ricardo Ortega, LELO; Jake Carton, Jobs with Justice; and labor leaders Rick Bender of WSLC and Verlene Wilder and Steve Williamson of KCLC."
Community Celebration and Potluck - 6:30 p.m.
"Your offering of food to share is your admission ticket. Volunteers needed: call Verlene Wilder (206) 441-7102. Info: Verlene Wilder (206) 441-8510." See also: Food Safety at WTO Events
"The SU law school National Lawyers Guild presents This is What Democracy Looks Like, a documentary film on the 1999 demonstrations against WTO and educational programs in Seattle, by the Independent Media Center and Big Noise Films. "... an intensely political and emotional portrait of a week that changed the world, followed by a panel from the area including Mr. Diamondstone of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and Prof. Gonzalez who will be speaking about the global impact of the WTO, to speak and take questions. "Reception to follow at Seattle U Law School. Info: Delaney Miller delaneym@seattleu.edu or (206) 632-1803."
Video of the protesting that happened at the 8th and Seneca intersection on the morning of November 30, 1999 will be projected onto the Town Hall Building. "The video follows the development of the relationship between the protestors and the police at one of these entrances from beginning to end. At this intersection, both sides of the conflict are victims of the situation. "Did you follow the protests of this meeting on television, in the papers, on the web? Were you in Seattle? Were you at this intersection? This video is the view from eyes, what did you see?"
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November 26 - December 2
Seattle Site of the Week: 
Seattle Area WTO Anniversary Events
Calendar
Potluck Breakfast at Steinbrueck Park
Breakfast to Honor Jose Bove... who is on trial in France for dumping manure and disassembly of a McDonald's! "There will be an open potluck breakfast to feed the striking newspaper workers, striking U.W. teaching assistants, and all the folks that are going to be busy all day. "The breakfast will be held at Victor Steinbrueck Park to honor the man who spearheaded the drive to save the Pike Place Market. ... Sponsored by: Local farmers, fishers, bakers and tofu makers. Info: John Foss, Small Family Fishers Association (206) 748-1351.
Your Mother's Army / GAS Potluck at Westlake Park
"A giant cake will be delivered to Mayor Paul Schell and Pat Davis... Bring good food from the earth and celebrate 'A Feast of All Resistance'... Your Mother's Army / GAS (Global Action Seattle) peaceful nonviolent direct action. Potluck, bring your own fork!" ... Your Mother's Army meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Peace Cafe at 5825 Roosevelt Ave N. GAS info: ccain9@juno.com or (206) 431-6847.
Student March from SCCC to Westlake
"... Students are planning a street party at 2:00. Free food from Food Not Bombs. DJs, bands and speakers. March downtown to Westlake Center leaving around 4:00 p.m., to participate in N30 anniversary events..." Info: dissident@riseup.net
UW Students Assemble for March to Westlake
"An assembly point for students and others who want to go to N30 events with a group. They plan to take the bus to 4th and Jackson and march with the People's Assembly... sign making materials will be available, all welcome to join."
People's Assembly March to Westlake
"The No to WTO / Seattle International People's Assembly is calling all friends and allies and individuals who donated their energy... Continue our resistance against WTO and IMF/WB! ... Join the N30 March/Rally at Westlake Mall downtown." Info: Ace Saturay... (206) 763-9611 or passembly@yahoo.com
Street Theater (Giant Puppets)
"Street theater performances for WTO protest anniversary. Actors and puppeteers still needed. Info: Jesse (206) 723-6260."
Rally at Westlake Park
"Possible coalescence of separate groups marching downtown at or near Westlake Park, Seattle. Possible march to Newspaper Guild picket lines at Seattle Times and Post-Intelligencer around 7:00 p.m. (not confirmed)."
"Two screenings of the award-winning, critically acclaimed documentary film on the WTO, 30 Frames A Second: The WTO in Seattle, by former freelance network cameraman Rustin Thompson. "Winner of the Best Documentary prize at both the Chicago and Seattle Underground Film Festivals, the Chicago Sun-Times called it 'excellent. ... remarkable testimony from a reflective witness operating outside the predictable agendas and usual players seen in newscasts.'" Info: (206) 723-8228 or Rustinthom@aol.com
"... Janet Thomas reading from her recently completed book, The Battle in Seattle: The Story Behind and Beyond the WTO Demonstrations, published by Fulcrum (http://www.fulcrum-books.com)." Info: jthomas@rockisland.com or info@battleinseattlebook.com
Trade Off, a film by Shaya Mercer, is "an award-winning documentary on WTO protests in Seattle, featuring activists, organizers and policy experts who worked to raise awareness, mobilize the citizenry, and bring the world to the streets of Seattle... as well as politicians from both sides of the barricades... and music, poetry and satire... "Trade Off tackles the effects of global trade policy on logging, genetic engineering, biopiracy, and goods dumping." Info: Theater (206) 441-3080 or filmmaker (206) 230-0294.
Legal Support at Jail
"... it may be helpful to have this number written on your arm (paper may be taken away from you) if you are going to be downtown or on Capitol Hill during any time when 'politicians and police are nervous.' ..." |
