Seattle Press on Line - Seattle's Newest Holiday Tradition

Seattle Press Editorial

Seattle's Newest Holiday Tradition

Anti-WTO protesters enjoy the rally and the holiday atmosphere at Westlake Park.

Dec 06, 2001 -- The anniversary of Seattle's landmark protests against the WTO ministerial meeting in 1999 is now an official Seattle holiday event, complete with an afternoon of speeches, music and fun at Westlake Center.

Too bad the Seattle Police Department didn't get the memo.

Event plans called for a rally at Seattle Central Community College, followed by a procession down Pine Street to Westlake. Police took it upon themselves to micro-manage the parade, blocking the street to traffic and preventing access from side streets. Illogically, while there was no vehicular traffic, marchers were confined to the sidewalks, and at least two unlucky march organizers who stepped off the curb were summarily arrested.

At Westlake, police were arrayed in force: officers on bicycles, officers on motorcycles, officers on horseback, officers on foot in full riot gear. Many did not wear their badges on their outer clothing, something police are required to do after the first anti-WTO demonstrations in 1999. Several more plainclothes officers were scattered through the crowd gathered for the rally.

As the rally continued, police made it clear that they flunked out of constitutional law. Two youths were arrested for burning a flag, an act that has been ruled to be legal by the U.S. Supreme Court. Another man paid his money, got on the carousel, displayed an anti-WTO sign and was promptly hauled away. Is the right of free speech suspended when one boards a carnival ride?

I am mystified. It seems strange that our Seattle Police Department would decide to illegally arrest people gathered for a permitted rally. It seems even stranger that they chose to do so at Westlake Center, where families and revelers of all political persuasions were enjoying holiday entertainment.

We need to remind the Chief Kerlikowske that his job description says "serve and protect," not "harass and provoke." Last week's Federal Court ruling that granted the N30 anniversary event permit confirmed that the right to protest is equally as important as the right to celebrate the holidays. Many people were doing both on November 30 at Westlake.

Now, while our country is at war, it is more important than ever for our police department to recognize and protect our rights and civil liberties.

SL

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