Wto Anniversary Protesters Arrested

Fri., Dec. 1, 2000

From Staff

A day-long demonstration to mark the anniversary of the riotous protest that stalled World Trade Organization meetings last year deteriorated Thursday night, with police using pepper spray and telling about 100 people they were “all under arrest.”

Shortly before 10 p.m., police who had sandwiched a group of about 100 people between lines of officers on Fourth Avenue downtown told them all to sit down and wait to be arrested. The group included legal observers and a reporter.

Shortly before 11 p.m., city spokesman Larry Vogel put the day’s arrest total at 50-75 but said that figure could rise.

Downtown streets were mainly clear by 11 p.m. although Vogel said he understood small groups of protesters remained near the area where the mass arrests took place.

One police captain suffered minor injuries when he was hit by an object thrown by a someone in the crowd, Vogel said. There was no immediate word on any injuries to protesters.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.