Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Thursday, November 02, 2006

The Battle in Seattle (Looking back seven years)

When activists made global headlines by essentially shutting down the meetings of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle in late 1999, the term “anti-globalization” was bandied about without much serious explanation. The majority of those in the streets were not against the literal concept of global interaction; it was the current form of remote control imperialism euphemistically known as trade or globalization that inspired the demonstrations.

It wasn’t perfect—or anything even close. Different factions within the protestors feuded over goals, issues, and tactics. Even the mainstream media recognized that paradox, with the Los Angeles Times stating: “Leaders of the peaceful demonstrations have lashed out at the anarchists, accusing them of undermining their anti-globalism (sic) message by breaking windows and destroying property. The anarchists in turn accused the Seattle protesters of protecting the same private-property interests that the WTO represents.”

Read the full article here.