WTO Seattle Riots

On November 30, 1999, people took to the streets to protest a World Trade Organization conference, which would make a trade deal between nations. People felt like this organization would only profit companies but not average consumers and low-wage workers. They saw this as a globalist takeover. This riot is known as the "Battle of Seattle" because it was so destructive and chaotic.

At first, several hundred activists took to the streets, taking control of intersections. Militant anarchists blocked roads and broke windows. Police surrounded the convention center, where they clashed with protesters. The control of intersections denied delegates from going from their hotel to the meeting. In an attempt to break up the intersection hold, police used pepper spray, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters, trying to get WTO delegates past intersections. Riot crowds got aggressive with police and threw objects back at them. Protesters vandalized streets and smashed cop cars. Nonviolent protestors ended up joining the rowdiness as police lashed back. Protesters chained themselves together and blocked intersections, tens of thousands of protesters joined in throughout the day, overwhelming cops. That day, the opening ceremony of the convention was canceled. 

The next day, Governor Gary Locke of Seattle organized two battalions of national guardsmen and local cities sent law enforcement. They set a perimeter of a no-protest zone. More clashes occurred throughout the day and many were arrested.  Although the media condemned the violence of the protesters, people saw the protest as an effective way of spreading a message. The protests kicked off an anti-globalization sentiment across the nation. This was one of the biggest street protests in US History to that point.

Sources:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/WTO-riots-in-Seattle-15-years-ago-5915088.php

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/01/the-dark-side-of-globalization-why-seattles-1999-protesters-were-right/282831/

https://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/exhibits-and-education/digital-document-libraries/world-trade-organization-protests-in-seattle