Mixed verdict for City of Seattle in WTO trial

[uppityperson]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003548157_webwto30.html

In a mixed verdict, a federal court jury today found that the City of Seattle violated the Fourth Amendment rights of roughly 200 protesters arrested at Westlake Park during the World Trade Organization upheaval on Dec. 1, 1999, but determined the city was not guilty of violating the plaintiffs' free-speech rights.

The verdict came after three days of deliberation. The arrests took place one day after the city was engulfed in chaos during the opening of World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings in Seattle.

The plaintiffs argued that the city violated their First Amendment right to free speech by arresting them because they were espousing anti-WTO sentiments. They also said the city violated their Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

To prevail, the plaintiffs had to demonstrate that such unconstitutional acts were made in accordance with official city policy, or that city leaders were aware of and authorized the arrests. On Nov. 30, 1999, Seattle erupted in chaos as some 50,000 people arrived to protest the policies of the WTO, which opened ministerial meetings in the city that day....(more@ link)