Journal of the mental environment
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
The whole world is watching
In November 1999, tens of thousands activists helped shut down the World Trade Organization in Seattle. The story of the Seattle protests has now been turned into a feature film.
- Thu, 18 Sep 2008 2:13 pm — Posted by Lauren
- | 12 comments
Global justice activists, environmentalists, union members, farmers, students, anti-capitalist activists and countless others helped shut down the World Trade Organization in Seattle in November of 1999. It was a defining moment for the movement against corporate globalization. The historical Seattle protests have now been turned into an independent fictionalized film. Democracy Now! spoke to the film’s writer and director, Stuart Townsend, as well as David Solnit, one of the key organizers of the WTO protests and co-founder of the Seattle WTO People’s History project:
[via DemocracyNow.org]
STUART TOWNSEND: One thing that’s happened is, since Seattle, because of Seattle’s success, you know, it’s very hard now to actually protest, have real dissent, because there’s two-mile exclusion zones. The Navy is out there in Cancun stopping protesters. And every event, every G8 event, any World Trade Organization meeting, now has massive security. And at the RNC and the DNC, where I was there, as well, I mean, it was very hard to really have any form of real dissent. So I think that’s a problem that, you know, you guys have to deal with as activists.
AMY GOODMAN: What are your hopes for this film?
STUART TOWNSEND: My hope is to inspire people, particularly a young and new audience, who—you know, most people don’t remember this event. And I was shocked when I sort of found it—you know, like found it. I was like, this is an incredible, important event about so many important issues. You know, even look at the financial crisis of two days ago, that’s the same system that people were fighting against in ’99. And, you know, we’re now reaping those—you know, the whirlwind of that.”
Stuart Townsend and David Solnit on Democracy Now
Sorry, flash is not available.
Interview with Battle in Seattle’s writer and director, Stuart Townsend, as well as David Solnit, one of the key organizers of the WTO protests and co-founder of the Seattle WTO People’s History Project on DemocracyNow.org
Get involved: battleinseattlemovie.com
Comments
I just recently learned about the peacefull protest against the WTO in 1999 and saw the documentary. I can’t understand why some people have problems with the whole thing. If you would watch the movie, you’ll see how the media totally lied. (Like the couple or so protesters that broke the Stsrbucks window. Was that a good reason for the police to use a poisenious gas that can kill, and on the whole crowd too?) Just look into the many claims against the police that were made. How wast this different than the May Day rallys of ‘06?
I currently work in the center of the Financial Markets - the hub of greed and hypercapitalism as we know it…for about 4 years now. I made this decision in order to collect enough ‘ends’ to launch a venture that can compete with the ‘profit’ driven Music industry labels, that I believe have ruined Humanities’ most precious art form. This mission (which is in the works), has recently taken a back seat (for now) to my core belief that some of our Brightest young minds are being duped/herded into a world that knows only greed. My background is as typcical as any other finance douche that u see walking down wall street. However, what most do not realize, is that there are many like me - many that have the tools, skills and passion (and $) to overturn the current model, that is so obvoiusly destroying our society. I believe this group (call it the late bloomers - those who are waking up to the lies we have been fed by our parents generation) are willing and ready to mobilize - we just need a push - and I want to be one of those that provides that push.
IN my opinion, this group is vital to implementing the changes we need, and can do so from the inside (though I am leaving imminently)- who know the inner workings of our greed filled institutions.
Make no mistake, the attitudes are changing from the inside - some of the most senior playeres on wall street are looking in the mirror and questioning their contribution to society. The time is now - these ‘hail mary’s’ thrown by Forbes and those like him are being recognized as the facades they are.
Can someone please provide me with some feedback as to the best places/sites/blogs/organizations that are specifically geared to young ‘professionals’ (whatever the fk that means) looking to implement positive change, primarilly to our sick model of capitalism. tx
Instead of a fictionalized drama, someone should make a documentary about the WTO protests, comparing footage of what actually went down (there is tons of it) with the media fabrication that has people (who claim to have been in Seattle) still claiming nine years later that there were "riots". How has no one done this yet? The news cameras taped the protests all day long, and they showed the police launch their attack against the peaceful protests, with the journalists on camera reacting in confusion and dismay. Only later did they edit all the footage and change the story to "riots" by editing the tear-gas filled streets and rampaging cops together with footage of protestors to create the fictionalized "riots". This brazen propaganda event would make a fascinating documentary.
Actually, there has been at least one doco made about the Seattle protests, and quite a good one too. It's called 'Breaking the Spell', and you can watch it on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myu74VAN92Q
Any of you actually see the movie? It's a good movie. It was entertaining and thought provoking, and that's more than most movies these days.
Yep, the guy made a few bucks off making the movie. But if he approached the project with sincerity and an honest desire to tell this story to people who maybe didn't know all that it involved, and maybe his movie will inspire someone to get involved, in something. Maybe then it was worth it. If you don't like it, that's ok, but his movie will do more to convince people that change is possible than an angry post on a website. But if you really feel you make a difference with what you say, then go for it.
I think its garbage too. I agree with buddha, this guy is exploiting this whole situation. But to be fair, nothing will change thru violence. Let alone a bunch of kids thinking its cool to riot because is some kind of sense of rebellion. People are missing the bigger picture. But let this fool make his picture. I don't believe it's going to change anything, but it won't hurt to get some of these ideas out to the public.
With this movie the (anti- or whatever you want to call it...)globalisation movement finally is history.
Congratulations!
o yea, like everybody should have just let those meetings go on. The WTO protest was actually effective in delaying the talks that would have caused massive suffering. I can't see why anybody would be complaining.
I have a problem!? You can't honestly read this guy's interview and look at the movie website and not have some sort of calm rage; even if you aren't from Seattle. And I didn't say 'shit ass europe' I meant to say: little piece of shit who went to a film school in Europe, just to clear up any regional quarrels, dick.
You have a problem buddy!
Regards from shit ass Europe,
Nacho
Shut the fuck up, I'm from Seattle, I remember this shit, I remember a bunch of drunk out of towners wrecking my city, pissing and shitting all over my quiet, clean city, just because the WTO is having a fucking meeting in Seattle: it's cause for riots!?? Not non-violent protest as you say on your little website, ALL OUT RIOTS, and you, you little piece of shit ass euro film school B-class fuck think you can exploit this shit!!! You are as worse as the people that are making money off 9/11 movies, this isn't a documentary stating the facts, this definitely isn't an indie flick, this is a full board film production, for your production company that has one purpose, to make you money, the same money that fuels the so-called capitalist government agencies you are soooo against, that you just heard about what happened and you had to tell the world cuz you just sort of found it, right? Just happened across it on Wikipedia and said 'oh nobody's made money off this one yet' is more like it.. Anybody from Seattle and anybody who went to actually non-violently protest know the WTO riots in Seattle were a total crock and a waste of time and blood. I hope your movie fucking tanks. You are the anti-christ.
Actually, I am from Seattle and I marched in the WTO protests. Yes, there was damage and I do not agree with the actions of some. The police poorly handled the non-violent protesters and then harmed locals in Capital Hill when they were unwilling to take abuse of their civil liberties. How about the police pepper spraying the county counselman in his car? They didn't even show that in the movie. I did not particpate in the riots, but I certainly understand the belief that others have to not be pushed off public streets. If you think the property damage done by some is WORSE than the outcomes of corporate actions you need to get schooled. Yes the WTO meeting is a cause for riots!! I have seen this film. I thought they did a good job by and large. You should go back to your bubble. Learn to commuicate in a civilized manner if you dislike riots so much. Your post is a verbal riot with less effectiveness than breaking downtown business windows.
Post new comment