FORT LAUDERDALE · With the pageantry of a parade and the passion of a prayer revival, hundreds of protesters began a three-day march Sunday through Broward County, a trek that will end in downtown Miami with a massive demonstration against the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit.
"FTAA, go away!" chanted the marchers, clad in the yellow T-shirts of the Root Cause organization, which supports farmworker rights.
The 34-mile march, one mile for each of the nations participating in the FTAA meetings, began at Wimberly Field in Oakland Park before turning south on U.S. 1. The block-long procession of about 200 marchers was escorted by police on motorcycles and horseback in the highway's outside lane. It moved less than two miles an hour.
The marchers, from toddlers to retirees, bore banners, placards and oversize puppets to proclaim their message that the FTAA would hurt poor workers at home and abroad. They banged drums, blew trumpets and flutes and handed out flyers to bystanders and motorists.
"At this point, taking to the streets is the only way to get attention," said Jennifer Waltz, 32, of California.
The attention from passing drivers ranged from honks and raised fists to extended middle fingers. "Some are curious, some are belligerent, a lot of them are supportive," said Dennis Burns of Baltimore, an activist and one of the parade marshals in bright orange safety vests.
"We're getting our message across; we're well received by the local community and the police," said Julia Perkins of Immokalee, one of the organizers. "This is a peaceful demonstration, and people realize that."
Rental trucks with portable toilets trailed the marchers and dispensed water, power bars and trail mix during breaks. Lunch, at Holiday Park, consisted of burritos and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. While police waited nearby, tired marchers stretched out in the shade, gulped bottled water or discussed the evils of corporate globalization.
"People are being very cooperative," said Maj. Mary Schertler, head of the six-officer detail. "Traffic is backing up a little, but that's because people are rubbernecking."
As they trudged past pizza joints, bookstores, furniture shops and banks, the marchers broke into spontaneous chants. "Ain't no power like the power of the people, 'cause the power of the people don't stop," they shouted.
The group planned to camp overnight at churches along their route. They were scheduled to reach Dania Beach late Sunday, and by Tuesday afternoon hope to arrive in downtown Miami to join thousands of others protesting the FTAA.
Leapfrogging the procession was a Fort Lauderdale police officer who videotaped the marchers as they approached. "We're used to it," said Perkins. "Unfortunately, it's become standard protocol at any kind of public dissent to be treated as criminals."
Robert Nolin can be reached at rnolin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-572-2024.
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