MIAMI -- Two powerful groups; one made up of Senior citizens, the other made up of steel workers, are protesting the way Miami police handled protests during the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference last week.
A group of seniors and retirees, members of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, traveled by bus to Miami to protest against economic and trade policies.
At a press conference Tuesday, ARA members said police held them on the ground at gunpoint, handcuffed and jailed them as they tried to "peacefully make their way out of Bayfront Park."
They also said that police "reneged" on arrangements the AFL-CIO had negotiated for a permitted march and rally on Thursday.
Another group, the United Steelworkers of America, called Monday for a congressional investigation into the conduct of Miami police and for the firing of Chief John Timoney.
The union sent a letter to congressional leaders accusing the police of violating the constitutional rights of thousands of union members and others who participated in a permitted march to protest FTAA.
The letter, signed by Leo Gerard, the union's international president, said, '"The obvious purpose of the repressive police presence in Miami was, at a minimum, to intimidate us and limit the exercise of our rights. Phalanxes of police in riot gear stretched for blocks, as did police cars buttressed bumper to bumper.''
The letter also condemned the use of $8.5 million in federal dollars for Miami's security costs, calling it money for ''homeland repression.''
The union called for all charges against peaceful protesters to be dropped.
"You had the opportunity to make our beautiful city a shining star in the eyes of the country and instead your department looks like a bunch of storm troopers. Mayor Diaz, Chief Timoney, you had your first major test and your teachers are here and your grade is 'F,'" said Michael Feeler of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
City of Miami Police Chief John Timoney responded with a lengthy statement. Here's part of it:
"I very much regret every occasion when police have to resort to force to overcome a violent attack. The Miami police department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the entire FTAA security operation and will produce a public report of our findings."
Of the 223 people arrested during the FTAA conference, most have since been released or bonded out of jail.
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