Standoff between police, demonstrators, continues in Seattle

Police face off with protesters in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle early Thursday

More WTO sessions planned for Thursday

SEATTLE (CNN) -- Helmeted police faced a crowd of demonstrators in the early hours of Thursday morning, as a confrontation brewed in darkness lit by headlights and empty storefronts.

Dozens of police also lined the area outside a hotel where President Clinton is staying, and National Guardsmen in camouflage gear stood protectively in rows, braced for more protests against the World Trade Organization, which is meeting in Seattle until Friday. 

Through the night, scattered protests erupted, as small bands of protesters roamed the streets. Some 400 people were arrested on Wednesday, after police took a no-tolerance approach toward demonstrations in the downtown area, where delegates to the WTO conference were meeting or trying to gain access to sessions. 

"This is not the Seattle we know and love," said Mayor Paul Schell, voicing the shock that many Seattle residents have expressed after the violence and massive protests of the past two days, stirred by disagreements over the WTO. To many residents of the Pacific Northwest city, their city had previously been known for its quality of life, and the breathtaking vistas of Puget Sound and Cascade Mountains.

Police fire volleys of tear gas

The gas was used on a crowd that had gathered just outside a 50-block downtown area that police had earlier designated a restricted zone.

WTO meetings got under way on schedule on Wednesday with more than 1,000 delegates meeting in a giant auditorium at the convention center to listen to trade ministers give speeches in support of their negotiating positions. However, the WTO canceled a night reception by WTO Director General Mike Moore for the 135 country delegations. 

As the tear gas canisters were launched Wednesday evening, police wielding batons moved through the streets. Some of those caught up in the clashes appeared to be bystanders.

"For your own safety, clear the area now," one police officer shouted through a bullhorn. 

Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper said a group of about 150 to 250 protesters began "moving into the downtown area" Wednesday night, prompting the police tactics. 

The demonstrators, he told reporters, "took to the streets once again in violation of the standards that we have set today, which is basically no authorization to block traffic, to block emergency vehicles."

Curfew extended, gas masks banned

"...Same rules, same borders," Schell announced at a news conference. "If you engage in unlawful or blatant violence you can expect that there will be police action."

Schell also expanded his civil-emergency order Wednesday to ban the purchase, sale and carrying of gas masks within city limits.

In one area, police waved batons at television cameras and pointed for the cameramen to get away. Officers also were seen spraying pepper spray in people's faces as they ran by. 

Protesters decry tough tactics 

Seattle police, stunned by the chaos in the streets, reacted with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber pellets Tuesday. They also called in 200 unarmed National Guard troops and 300 state police to help keep calm Wednesday.

Demonstrators complained the hundreds of arrests and tough tactics were unnecessary. And they feared the violent actions of a few were overshadowing issues involving WTO policies.

Clinton: WTO needs more public participation 

Police fire tear gas to disperse crowds of anti-WTO protesters gathered in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle on Thursday

As Clinton's limousine returned to his downtown hotel for the night, police clashed with demonstrators a few blocks away, firing tear gas that wafted along the streets outside the president's hotel.

Police, worried about security, locked the doors for a time, not allowing reporters or other guests to leave. 

During his luncheon speech to WTO delegates and trade ministers, Clinton denounced Tuesday's violence. 

"I condemn the small number who were violent and who tried to prevent you from meeting," said Clinton, "But I am glad the others showed up, because they represent millions of people who are now asking questions about whether this enterprise in fact will take us all where we want to go."

Protesters have accused the Geneva-based organization that sets the rules for global trade of considering the needs of giant multinational corporations at the expense of protecting the environment and workers' rights.

The president earlier had addressed a gathering of farmers, students and area officials at the port of Seattle. He urged WTO officials to "open this system up" and build a broader consensus on trade. He said more people needed to be brought into the debate on trade issues. 

But he also said that because of agricultural improvements and better technology, farmers are producing more than the United States can consume. He said that was another reason why trade barriers needed to come down. 

"We cannot preserve family farms unless we sell more of what we grow to more people around the world," Clinton said. 

"Let's keep our eye on the big picture," the president said after touring the port of Seattle, which accounts for much of the city's $34 billion in annual exports -- the most of any U.S. city. 

Correspondents Rusty Dornin, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.