<nettime> Seattle - Independent Media Center Under Siege!

["rc-am" <rcollins@netlink.com.au>]

Independent Media Center Under Siege!
by David Murphy and David Potter 9:08pm Tue Nov 30 '99

http://206.168.174.20/imc/display.php3?article_id=158

Police attack reporters as they try to enter the Independent Media Center.

Pursuing protesters, a line of some 35 police in full riot gear stretched
across the 3rd Ave. between Union and Pike some 10 feet North of the
Independent Media Center (at 1415 3rd). Approximately 10 protesters sat
across from them 30 feet to the South, with another 20 persons scattered
around the block among the sitters. The seated protesters repeatedly asked
the riot police what they wanted from the protesters, pointing out that
when they had tried to leave, they were attacked. The riot police, wearing
gas masks and full body armor, said nothing. After several minutes the
line of protesters grew to about 15. Seconds later a concussion grenade
landed and exploded among the seated protesters. Simultaneously, the riot
cops charged, spraying pepper spray and tear gas at anyone they
encountered including journalists filming outside the door of the IMC. The
IMC filled with gas as people grabbed for masks and scarves. An ambulance
was called for a bystandard who was rushed into the IMC after being hit by
what was believed to be a concussion grenade in the face. Over 100
journalists were held hostage by the police for approximately one hour
until they were allowed to leave. Cartridges from concussion grenades and
two different types of rubber bullets were found in the street and brought
back to the IMC. A curfew has been declared for the downtown Seattle area
after 7 pm. 

Police Wallop Capitol Hill
by David Sadoway 2:26am Wed Dec 1 '99

Reporter’s excellent account of his trip home from the Independent Media
Center, 6-11 p.m. Tuesday. 

As the curfew closed over Seattle last night, task forces of riot police
from city, county, and state drove the stragglers and stranded from the
downtown vicinity. The city purportedly maintained bus service from 4th
and Jackson, the shifting police lines arbitrarily determined the exit
routes for people leaving downtown. 

The police channelled many people up Pine Street and across the I-5 bridge
at Boren. Apparently in response to looting on Pike Street, a large number
of police had pressed onto lower Capitol Hill to quell the unrest. 

“The cops don’t have jurisdiction past Boren,” cried one Capitol Hill
resident as a police phalanx made its first surge beyond Pine and Minor,
already beyond the curfew boundary set by Mayor Paul Schell Tuesday
evening. 

Protestors and residents reported only minor property damage beyond the
curfew zone. However, the ensuing two hours after 7 pm, police in full
riot gear, armed with tear gas, rifles, and batons, made repeated advances
east on Pine into the Capitol Hill neighborhood. 

A few of the anti-WTO epithets remained to be heard. Nor did any further
looting or violence occur among the protestors. Instead, the chants “we
live here, we live here” rose up from an increasingly indignant crowd
about 300. 

A sergeant from the SPD ordered the crowd to disperse. Only seconds
elapsed before the volleys of tear gas canisters and stun grenades struck
the crowd. Alternately, the crowd retreated in fear and then returned to
face off with the police, who were gradually pushing up Pine Street. The
pattern recurred throughout the hour, as the police crossed Bellvue. 

By 8:30 p.m., several people had been gassed more severely and one was
rushed to the hospital. 

While many remained in the streets, others gathered in bars and
restaurants along Pine. 

Shortly before 9 p.m., the police made their decisive sweep. Advancing
with an armored vehicle, approximately 50 officers launched tear gas and
fired rubber bullets into the crowd, pushing them all the way to Harvard
Avenue.  Bar patrons were caught inside and choked on the gas. 

The situation deteriorated as residents responded by erecting a barricade
outside the Egyptian Theater and smashing the rear window of a police car. 

By 11 p.m., police cleared the area. They reportedly dispatched a bomb
squad to detonate a device found in a garage off Harvard. 

“If the police had just held their line at Boren, we would have just gone
home to bed and none of this would have happened,” said Riz, a Capitol
Hill resident, shaking his head as sirens continued to wail at 11 p.m. 



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