Anti-globalization activists tied chalk-white fabric -- scribbled with words like ''silenced'' and ''oppression'' -- across their mouths as they quietly marched out of the Miami City Commission chambers Thursday, protesting the approval of an ordinance that limits what they can carry during demonstrations next week.
They solemnly hung their heads while some beat drums and others carried signs and puppets.
''They think they can silence us, and that's what this ordinance was intended to do,'' said Max Rameau of the Miami Workers Center. ``But they will not succeed.''
The ordinance given final approval by commissioners one week before the Free Trade Area of the Americas ministerial meeting tightens rules and strengthens police power during demonstrations of more than seven people.
BANNED ITEMS
It bans such items as rocks, glass bottles, handcuffs, water balloons and spray paint, and limits the thickness of the wood used to carry signs or flags to one-quarter inch.
The approval drew a quick response from the American Civil Liberties Union, which said it might file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law as early as Monday.
The law was pushed by Miami police Chief John Timoney, who argued it was needed to ensure the safety of law enforcement agents and the public. Supporters point to violent protests during similar trade meetings in the past.
''I see this law as a necessary evil,'' Commissioner Joe Sanchez said. ``Look at what happened in proposed Seattle and Cancϊn, Mexico. We need to take action so those types of things don't happen in our community.''
While the law does not name next week's FTAA summit, its timing and wording were clearly designed to send a message to protesters.
Activists told commissioners they plan peaceful demonstrations, and urged them not to be influenced by media reports that portray them as destructive radicals.
Civil libertarians argued the law is unconstitutional and will not survive a court test.
''The reality is this ordinance is sold to you as a tool -- but what it really does is expand the arsenal of the police department and gives them unfettered discretion over who they can and cannot arrest,'' said Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, president of the Miami-Dade chapter of the ACLU.
FOUR YES VOTES
The four commissioners present voted for the ordinance. Commissioner Johnny Winton was not in the chamber.
''I wish we didn't need to have this,'' Winton said before leaving. ``But it's not being written in the Constitution, it's just an ordinance. And just like we created it, it can be changed and it can be eliminated.''
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WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS
Miami Herald
Nov.14, 2003
The new Miami ordinance bans these items from demonstrations:
Sleeping dragons, which are devices made of anything from PVC to concrete that protesters use to lock arms, block intersections or cause traffic problems.
Rocks.
Pieces of asphalt or concrete.
Metal, plastic or other stiff material thicker than three-quarters of an inch. That means people cannot carry hula hoops or plastic sticks.
Balloons filled with water, paint or other liquids or solids.
Spray paint cans.
In addition, signs can only be made of cloth, paper or flexible cardboard material one-quarter inch thick. Wood holding up puppets cannot be longer than 10 feet. The puppets' parts cannot be detachable.
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