Skip to main content

The timeline can be navigated by dragging the pointer on the timeline bar, located at the bottom of the screen on the desktop version and on the left of the screen on mobile. To filter by a specific topic, make a selection on the dropdown “Filters” menu or click “Search” to do a keyword search. To learn more, click “Read More” below.

Read More
Protest sign with an image of a grim reaper marked as the WTO standing on the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Protest sign against the World Trade Organization (Photo: Flickr/geraldford)

Uprising in Seattle against the World Trade Organization.

1999

INTL
ECON
ENV
LAB
COP
RES
Protest sign against the World Trade Organization (Photo: Flickr/geraldford)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is confronted by mass protests and direct actions in Seattle in response to the WTO Ministerial Conference. The conference agenda is to roll out new multilateral trade negotiations.

Protesters focus their messaging on workers' rights, sustainable economies, environmental injustices, and a critique of capitalism. They are violently attacked by the police with rubber bullets and tear gas, and Seattle Mayor Paul Schell declares a state of emergency and orders a curfew in downtown Seattle.

This uprising brings global attention to the organizing against the WTO that is happening, and to the state and government tactics that are being used to control and arrest the organizers.