Did the 1999 protests against the World Trade organization in Seattle make a difference? After all, the WTO still exists and continues its push for the corporate-driven free trade agenda that was on the table 10 years ago. Now, especially in light of Wall Street’s evident political and financial clout, it’s easy to forget just what the world looked like in 1999. As I attended talks and workshops commemorating the Battle of Seattle, I was reminded of how much has changed. Here are a few of the lasting impacts of those protests.

1. Changed the story on free trade

Prior to Seattle, there was a widespread pubic perception in the U.S. that free trade was a good thing. Good for America. Good for poor countries. Everyone would get richer as goods and services became integrated into a single global market. Momentum was on the side of the free-traders and few politicians or journalists dared to speak against it. Seattle changed that story. As protesters put their bodies on the line, a clueless press, surprised by the size and passion of the crowds, began to see there was another, much darker side to free trade. Journalists’ articles on free trade became more balanced-pro and con, politicians got braver in expressing dissent, and the public learned a new story about the effects of free trade. 2. Stalled the WTO

Not only was the WTO unable to reach agreement in Seattle in 1999, but every time it has met in the intervening 10 years it has been unable to move its agenda forward. Many feel this is because delegates-particularly from developing countries-who had been steamrolled by the U.S. and its allies became emboldened to speak up for their own countries’ interests. As the WTO meets this week in Geneva, many experts feel there is little chance they will reach agreement this time, either. 3. Defeated the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Once NAFTA had passed in 1993, trade officials assumed the next step was to expand the free trade area to cover all of North and South America with a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. Cities were vying to host the FTAA secretariat and planners were laying out expanded transportation systems to bring massive amounts of goods from South America to the U.S. and Canada. But when trade negotiators met in Quebec in 2001 and again in Miami in 2003, they encountered massive protests and many delegates voiced their opposition. No agreement was reached, and there is currently no expectation of reviving the effort.