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During the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999, tens of thousands gathered to protest, effectively shutting down the WTO talks as delegates were unable to get to the convention center. Peaceful protests devolved into a riot now known as "the Battle in Seattle" as Seattle Police employed batons, tear gas, pepper spray, non-lethal projectiles and concussion grenades to hold protesters at bay. Support from neighboring agencies was called and the National Guard was deployed as Mayor Paul Schell declared a civil emergency, downtown no-protest zone, and curfew.