Among the protesters were those from environmental groups, trade unions and the least developed countries. Their common theme was that the free trade espoused by the WTO is not fair trade, especially for poorer workers and countries. They accused the WTO of worsening environmental and development problems. The protesters are threatening to paralyse formal proceedings, which begin on Tuesday. Trade ministers, officials and bureaucrats from 130 countries intend to launch a new round of trade liberalisation negotiations.
Industrialised nations argue that free trade has led to greater prosperity around the world.
Thousands mobilised But a coalition of environmentalists and human rights activists, the Direct Action Network, said tens of thousands of people would swarm into Seattle and make it impossible for delegates to reach the conference centre. Nadine Bloch said her group was planning a non-violent stoppage, but added it had had training camps on civil disobedience over the last week. She said she had been told to expect 25,000 to 30,000 US union members. On Monday, a preliminary conference meeting got off to a rocky start as a security threat delayed a seminar between WTO officials and organisations representing labour, environmental and other interests. Throughout Monday, central Seattle was awash with different groups representing a host of social issues - from religious organisations to those concerned by child labour practices.