Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff Part One: The Battle in Seattle: How Scrappy Protesters Shut Down the World Trade Organiation
Jun 23, 2025
Discover the vibrant protests in Seattle that brought the World Trade Organization to a standstill in 1999. Learn about the diverse coalition of activists, including the innovative tactics of the Direct Action Network and the influence of the Zapatistas. Delve into the historical significance of this battle against neoliberalism as various grassroots movements united for social justice. Explore the creative strategies employed and how these protests shaped the global conversation on trade, activism, and solidarity.
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1999 Seattle WTO Protest Impact
- The 1999 Seattle WTO protests united diverse social movements to blockade and successfully shut down the summit.
- This marked a significant weakening of the WTO's influence and the alter-globalization movement's rise.
Free Trade vs Fair Trade
- Free trade agreements often strip environmental and labor protections, harming developing nations.
- Fair trade emphasizes protecting workers and environments, aiming for ethical supply chains.
Horizontal Organization Model
- People's Global Action adopted a horizontal, peer-based structure inspired by the Zapatistas for global organizing.
- This structure prevents any single group from controlling the entire movement and promotes inclusivity.