More than 1,000 delegates from 34 countries will converge at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami next month for a much-anticipated trade summit that will be closely watched throughout the world.
But with the international spotlight about to shine on Miami, which is aggressively campaigning to become the permanent home for the Free Trade Area of the Americas, officials are worried about the tens of thousands of protesters also expected to descend on the city.
So on Thursday, city commissioners are expected to vote on a controversial ordinance designed to prevent a replay of the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle, where images of violent clashes between police and protesters were beamed worldwide and tarnished the city's image.
The ordinance bans items that have been used in past anti-free-trade demonstrations, such as rocks, knives and slingshots. The law also would limit the thickness of the wood used for signs.
The latest version, revised from a proposal given preliminary approval last month, does not specifically name the meeting of Western Hemisphere trade ministers scheduled for Nov. 20-21.
But it clearly sends a message to demonstrators that rabble-rousing will be met with consequences.
''It appears that potential exists for civil disturbance and unrest during certain upcoming events,'' the ordinance says. ``And it is appropriate for the City Commission to enact regulations to be in effect relating to such events to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and property.''
Unlike the original proposal, the revised ordinance drafted by the city's Community Relations Board, would not expire on Thanksgiving Day but would be permanent.
The most controversial sections of the original ordinance -- which banned gas masks and bulletproof vests -- were removed. Journalists and demonstrators had argued that prohibiting the two items would prevent them from protecting themselves in case the protests got out of control.
Miami Police Chief John Timoney said the proposal simply gives police added protection.
''This allows us to prevent, and I stress prevent, assaults from taking place,'' Timoney said.
FIRST AMENDMENT
But the ordinance has riled civil libertarians and planned protesters who say it impinges on First Amendments rights and is unfairly tailored to a specific group: those who have unwavering views about hemispheric trade.
'What this ordinance does is create problems that don't exist -- and it has a chilling effect on protesters' rights,'' said Bill Dobbs, spokesman for the New York-based United for Peace and Justice, which is part of a national coalition of more than 650 groups.
Dobbs called the ordinance ''saber-rattling,'' and said Timoney is simply trying to strike fear in anyone who wants to exercise their right to free speech.
''After Philadelphia, I would have hoped [Timoney] would have learned to be more sensitive to the Constitution,'' Dobbs said, referring to the tight police control at the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia when Timoney was the city's chief.
Timoney said the recent changes to the ordinance do not dilute its intent, which is to try to keep next month's demonstrations peaceful -- one of the key goals the city needs to accomplish in its bid to become the seat of the free-trade organization.
OBLIGED TO PROTECT
''We will facilitate free speech and the Constitution. But I have an obligation to protect my police officers -- and that's something I take very seriously,'' Timoney said. ``People will be able to scream and protest. This just gives us the authority to prevent those people carrying assault weapons to walk into the protest area.''
But the new version still does not appease civil libertarians, who say the ordinance violates First Amendment rights. Randall C. Marshall, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said it still discriminates against a specific group and gives police broad discretion over who they can arrest during rallies, demonstrations and parades.
''They can dress it up all they want, but it's quite clear that this ordinance was motivated by the FTAA in November,'' he said. ``It is still so broadly worded that it prohibits all kinds of things that I know won't be applied to other events, like the Book Fair. For example, it prohibits someone from walking on stilts. I'm sure that law won't be enforced at the King Mango Strut parade.''
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