The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns. Heavy police response included the use of riot gear, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Jim Pugel, who would later serve as Interim Chief of Police of the Seattle Police Department, was Captain in charge of all the Seattle police downtown that week. According to Chief Pugel: "The street sign is unique only in that during the months ahead in planning the union march of 50,000 plus folks [they were] adamant that they be allowed to march on 'Union' street. The Secret Service and police were adamant that they not because of security for the convention center. My planning partner from AFL-CIO and I approached the city (Mayor Schell) and asked if we could rename Pine Street 'Union Way' for the day (November 30th). They agreed. The unions agreed to march but by the time they got to Union Way, all hell broke loose and the rest is history. Regardless, all of the green Pine Street signs were taken down just before the week and replaced with blue Union Way signs for the week."