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 The BBC's Tony Smith"The scale of the demonstration has come as a shock to many here"  real 28k  The BBC's Janet Williams reports from the scene"Loud bangs echoed down the street and clouds of white gas billowed upwards"  real 28kThe BBC's Paul Reynolds"There was always one more line of protestors to face" real 28k |
Seattle declares civil emergency
Protesters kick in a window during the clashes |
The mayor of Seattle has declared a civil emergency following violent clashes between police and thousands of anti-trade demonstrators ahead of the World Trade Organisation meeting.
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Violence continued after nightfall, prompting Mayor Paul Schell to declare an overnight curfew for the downtown area.
The curfew period - 1900 local time (0300 GMT Wednesday) to 0730 - will cover the scheduled arrival of US President Clinton, who is set to address the WTO meeting on Wednesday.
Washington state Governor Gary Locke authorised the National Guard to be sent in to remove protesters if necessary.
As a result of the clashes, which prevented speakers reaching the meeting, WTO officials called off the opening ceremony and said they would move straight to a ministerial meeting.
 We should open the process up to all those people who are there demonstrating  |
| Bill Clinton |
The protesters in Seattle, representing various interest groups, say the free trade ideals espoused by the WTO benefit big business at the cost of workers, the environment and communities.
The meeting of world trade ministers will focus on reducing international trade barriers.
President Clinton said earlier that he sympathised with some of the protesters' demands and said trade agreements should take into consideration labour and environmental concerns.
"I also strongly, strongly believe that we should open the process up to all those people who are there demonstrating on the outside. They ought to be a part of it," the president said.
Protesters called on police to stop firing tear gas |
Demonstrators had surrounded both the Paramount Theatre, where the opening ceremonies were to have taken place, and a nearby convention centre.
Police say they fired chemical sprays into groups of demonstrators who had chained themselves together and were lying in the streets in an attempt to prevent delegates from reaching the venues.
Earlier, the confrontation between demonstrators and police seemed to pass peacefully. Protesters chanted, sang and danced outside the theatre.
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Trade talk targets |
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Expand tariff cuts to agriculture and services |
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Set agenda for other areas of trade liberalisation |
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Discuss labour rights |
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Set standards for 'fair' trading |
But police moved in after a couple of hours. They put on their gas masks, shouted a warning and fired both CS spray and pepper gas from hand-held canisters at close range.
Our correspondent in Seattle, Paul Reynolds, says small groups of demonstrators broke away, blocking key downtown streets. Others smashed shop windows.
Armoured cars and mounted police deployed in the area around the convention centre, but only a few violent incidents were reported.
US labour unions, which organised separated rallies, pledged their protests would be peaceful.
'Human rights'
"We are basically putting a human face on the WTO," Teamsters union president James Hoffa, said.
Protesters represent various interest groups |
Mr Hoffa said he believed pressure from labour unions had succeeded in getting labour rights added to the WTO meeting's agenda.
"We understand they have changed the agenda and that workers' rights will be on the agenda," he said.
Trade ministers from 135 WTO member countries are attending the four-day meeting which aims to set the scope and timetable of a new round of negotiations to reduce trade barriers worldwide.
Officials attacked
But some officials said they were outraged that the more radical protesters had been allowed to delay the proceedings.
Police were forced to stop delegates from reaching the area |
"People like us who came from thousands of miles and find no organisation - it's very sad," Mr Asfour said.
A Colombian delegate was attacked by demonstrators who banged on the roof of his car.
Others, who did managed to reach the theatre, left in frustration at the delay.
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30 Nov 99 | UK |
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Riot police clash with demonstrators |
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30 Nov 99 | Business |
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Trade talks backlash warning |
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In pictures: The WTO protests |
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