Battle in Seattle- 10th Anniversary

November 30- December 5, 1999 was the start of something big.  That was the week when protesters shut down the World Trade Organization Meetings in Seattle, Washington.  New alliances came together- workers, farmers, environmentalists, and faith leaders- to say NO to the WTO and YES to a new vision for a just and sustainable global economy.

This was a turning point in the fair trade movement.  This year, being the 10th anniversary, Mainers gathered together to celebrate the Battle in Seattle and look ahead to continuing the fight.

We marked the anniversary with a rally and march in Bangor on the 30th.  We paid a visit to Rep. Mike Michaud’s office to thank him for his leadership on fair trade, and continued to Senator Snowe’s office to ask her to co-sponsor the TRADE Act.  Thanks to everyone who came out in the rain, it was a great event!

We held the first ever Annual Meeting of the Coalition at the Waterville UCC Church on Saturday the 5th.  A local foods luncheon prepared by the worker-owned cooperative Local Sprouts, followed by speakers who were in Seattle and presentations of the Fair Trade Champion awards- given to Rep. Mike Michaud and Matt Schlobohm for their fair trade leadership.

We also held a number of film nights and delivered presentations around the state. Thank you to everyone who participated!