1999 WTO 'Battle of Seattle' protests

The 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference was held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center on November 30–December 3, 1999. Large-scale protests and confrontations between demonstrators and police during the event are commonly referred to as the 'Battle of Seattle.' Demonstrators blocked downtown streets and prevented the conference's opening plenary from taking place at the convention center; hundreds of people were arrested during the protests.