Multinational networks of activists predominantly from industrial countries, particularly from the US have had considerable success in organising protests outside meetings of the IMF, the World Bank and other similar fora. While the development of such organisations is a source of hope, to what extent do these new protests reflect the demands of organisations and states in developing nations? Do they express 'global demand' as they almost universally claim to or are their demands prompted by local political priorities? A critical look at the Seattle protests in this context.