RESIST THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS (FTAA)
News Items specific to Miami (see Latest News for more general FTAA reports).
The Miami Ministerial took place at the Inter-Continental Hotel from Nov. 20-21, 2003. This archive documents mainly (but not exclusively) corporate media coverage of the event. For non-corporate material, see: FTAA IMC, Midwest Unrest FTAA Reportback., and this post-protest zine: N20: The FTAA Goes to Miami
To people with evidence (video, photos, eye-witness statements and contacts, etc) of repression at the FTAA protests in Miami: please read this Message from Miami Activist Defense
Rally Urges Crist Probe of Police at '03 Summit (Oct. 13, 2006 / Miami Herald)
FTAA Protest Controversy Affects Gubernatorial Race (Oct. 12, 2006 / NBC6)
ACLU Sues Police Over Tactics Used In FTAA Protests (Nov. 17, 2005 / NBC6)
Appeals court protects secrecy involving police strategy for Miami trade talks (Aug. 19, 2005 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) "A Florida appeals court ruled this week that the Miami Police Department's operations plan during the Free Trade of the Americas meetings in 2003 are not subject to public records laws. The ruling was a blow to the city's Independent Civilian Investigative Panel, which sought the controversial plan to investigate allegations of police misconduct during the demonstrations.... Janet McAliley, the civilian panel's vice chairwoman, said Thursday she was disappointed by the ruling but said it will not stop the group from pursuing the complaints...."
Lawsuit on strip searches settled (April 19, 2005 / Miami Herald) "Thousands of women illegally strip searched at the Women's Detention Center and other Miami-Dade County correctional facilities may qualify for a piece of the $6.25 million a federal court judge approved in a class-action settlement Monday. It's being called one of the largest civil rights settlements in the history of Miami-Dade County...."; Miami-Dade settles strip-search lawsuit (April 19, 2005 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) "Three women activists, strip-searched after being arrested during the 2003 free-trade demonstrations, have forced Miami-Dade County to end its indiscriminate searches...."
Investigative Panel Wants Police's Plan To Handle FTAA Protests (April 14, 2005 / NBC6) "For security reasons, those operational plans need to be exempt from public records laws," says Miami Police Chief John Timoney; Panel: Miami police thwarting inquiry into FTAA abuses (April 15, 2005 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) "... On Thursday, the civilian panel released an interim report of their investigation so far. The panel said it is reviewing 18 complaints people and organizations throughout the country filed against Miami police.... The panel also is questioning why police filed several contradictory internal department reports on how many bags of pellets and pepper spray balls officers fired during the meetings and why many officers covered their badges and nameplates so they wouldn't be identified. Panel members have not been able to determine if the complaints have merit because they don't know what the Miami Police Department allowed its officers and agents of other police agencies to do during the demonstrations...."; Panel blames police for FTAA report delay (April 15, 2005 / Miami Herald)
FTAA protesters settle suit over strip searches in Miami jail (February 15, 2005 / AP) "Three protesters arrested as they demonstrated against a free-trade conference have agreed to settle a lawsuit claiming Miami-Dade County jailers unnecessarily strip searched women, forced them to squat naked and 'hop like a bunny' in open view...."
Report stalled as police hold back on plans (January 3, 2005 / Miami Herald) "Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Chavies ruled on Nov. 2 that all the FTAA material requested from the police department should be turned over to the civilian panel. The judge stated the 'claimed exemptions made by Chief [John] Timoney were not valid,' panel documents say. However, the police department has since been granted a stay while it appeals the ruling to the state's Third District Court of Appeal...."
Man Sues City, Police Over Injury During FTAA Protest (Sept. 23, 2004 / NBC 6) "A documentary producer wounded in the head by a mesh-covered ball of lead pellets sued the city of Miami and police Thursday, claiming police turned downtown Miami into a "war zone" during street protests against an international free-trade gathering. The sack, about the size of a pingpong ball and fired by police officers, lodged under the skin of Carl Kesser's right temple and required a three-hour operation to remove, his attorneys said. The videographer said his forehead is partially paralyzed and he is still in therapy because he cannot fully open his mouth...."; Filmmaker sues Miami, 10 officers (Sept. 24, 2004 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Panel faults police during FTAA (June 3, 2004 / Miami Herald); Draft Report: Police At FTAA Meetings Trampled Civil Rights (June 3, 2004 / AP) The draft included strong language to criticize "the unrestrained and disproportionate use of force," and offer "heartfelt apologies to the visitors who came to our city to peaceably voice their concerns, but who were met with closed fists instead of open arms....
FTAA-Related Rally Draws Small Crowd (May 4, 2004 / WPLG)
Plane business last to learn it's in city plans (March 30, 2004 / Miami Herald) "...Then they showed me this DVD, which they sent to the presidents of the 34 countries in the FTAA,'' Confalone said. '[Miami Mayor Manny] Diaz is standing there on our property, or at least what appears to be our property, showing the city skyline in the background, and saying, `This is the place the headquarters should be.' I couldn't believe it....."
Trade summit actions bring civil-rights suit (March 26, 2004 / Miami Herald). See also the Miami Activist Defense (MAD) and National Lawyers Guild (NLG) press release Federal lawsuit challenges the "Miami Model" and hundreds of FTAA-related criminal cases (March 25, 2004 / MAD) and the text of the Class Action Complaint
Women arrested in FTAA protests sue over Miami-Dade strip search (March 12, 2004 / AP)
Miami revokes law restricting protests that was passed for FTAA (March 12, 2004 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); Protest ordinance repealed (March 12, 2004 / Miami Herald); Miami commissioners repeal protest law (March 11, 2004 / AP)
Penelas addresses critics over police tactics at FTAA talks (March 11, 2004 / AP)
AFL-CIO wary of police spending for FTAA (March 10, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Panel hears of police violence (March 2, 2004 / Miami Herald); AFL-CIO Demands Apology, Chief's Resignation (March 1, 2004 / WPLG)
Miami offers waterfront, $16 mln building for FTAA (March 1, 2004 / Reuters); El Salvador clearly avoids any commitment to Miami (March 1, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Protest law headed toward repeal (Feb. 27, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Threat to liberty at FTAA worth a second look (Feb. 26, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Chief's trusted aide has a past worth noting (Feb. 22, 2004 / Miami Herald) "Chief John Timoney and his commanders have said that if anyone has a complaint about police conduct during the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit, they should report it to the department's Internal Affairs unit.... The man in charge of Internal Affairs is Louis Vega, a longtime friend and trusted aide of Timoney.... He left the NYPD in 1996 amid accusations that as a Bronx precinct captain he falsified crime statistics. Vega allegedly altered information on police reports, often re-classifying crimes from felonies to misdemeanors in order to make it seem there had been a reduction in serious crime in his precinct...."
Summit security costs public millions (Feb. 22, 2004 / Miami Herald) "The bills are in: Security for the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit will cost taxpayers at least $23.9 million -- about $1.4 million more than anticipated.... While two civilian panels search for the truth, protesters are lining up to sue. More litigation costs are coming. Last summer, before the November summit, authorities told The Herald they estimated security would cost $16.1 million, including the federal reimbursement but not counting the lawsuits...."; Security at Miami's free trade meeting cost taxpayers $23.9 million (Feb. 24, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Penelas reaches out to labor unions (Feb. 13, 2004 / Miami Herald)
County alliance challenges protest law (Feb. 6, 2004 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel); Lawsuit challenges FTAA protest arrest ordinances (Feb. 6, 2004 / AP)
Police: Protests justified any use of force (Feb. 6, 2004 / Miami Herald) "...Timoney went up to the microphone and said that all disciplinary action [???] had been taken by the department...."
Police Present Report (Feb. 5, 2004 / Miami Herald); Review expected to praise officers at FTAA (Feb. 5, 2004 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel); Summit was 'success,' Miami police conclude (Feb. 5, 2004 / Miami Herald) Based its own 'internal investigation', the MPD's "66-page report is a pat on the back." Tonight (5pm, Thurs., Feb. 5) , the report is to be presented at a Civilian Investigative Panel hearing (see above article for details).
Embedded Obstacles (Feb.-March, 2004 / American Journalism Review)
Nonprotesting filmmaker wonders why he was shot (Feb. 1, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Miami judge dismisses charges in first FTAA-related jury trial (Jan. 29, 2004 / AP)
Charges Dropped in Protester Trial (Jan. 21, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Police review panel needs to wise up fast (Jan. 20, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Hail to the king of the tirade: Joe Arriola (Jan. 18, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Member of police oversight board resigns after criticism (Jan. 17, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Find truth about police, panel told (Jan. 16, 2004 / Miami Herald); Miami Probes Police Crushing of Trade Protests (Jan. 16, 2004 / Reuters)
Panel to open FTAA police probe (Jan. 15, 2004 / Miami Herald)
'Bulletin' worries church (Jan. 15, 2004 / Miami Herald)
Miami: Thursday hearing on police conduct at FTAA (Jan. 12, 2004 / Infoshop) "In the wake of the shocking suppression of political dissent and the unjustified use of force at the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) meetings in Miami, a hearing is being held on the conduct of the police. The joint hearing is being convened by the Citizen Investigatory Panel (CIP) of Miami and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) of Miami Dade county this Thursday, January 15...."
Free-Trade Protesters Eye Suits Over Treatment (Jan. 9, 2004 / Daily Business Review)
Panels will look into allegations of abuse by police during FTAA protests in Miami (Dec. 27, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Block that defense (Dec. 23 / Daily Business Review)
Model student recounts horrors of FTAA arrest (Dec. 21, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Bork Torque (Dec. 21, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Judge: I saw police commit felonies (Dec. 20, 2003 / Miami Herald); Judge: Miami police actions a 'disgrace' (Dec. 21, 2003 / AP)
Amnesty Says Miami Police May Have Broken UN Laws (Dec. 18, 2003 / Reuters)
'Miami Model' of FTAA security is lightning rod (Dec. 18, 2003 / Miami Herald)
FTAA Fallout Finds Chief Timoney (Dec. 18, 2003 / WTVJ-TV)
Groups air gripes about police actions (Dec. 17, 2003 / Miami Herald)
"This is not America" (Dec. 16, 2003 / Salon.com)
New details emerging in trade protest clashes (Dec. 14, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Anarchists in my back yard (Dec. 14, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Jailed non-protester knocks ‘stereotyping’ during FTAA (Dec. 13, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Demonstrators Vow to Sue Miami for Police Action During FTAA, Union Prez Demands Miami Chief's Resignation (Dec. 12, 2003 / Miami Sun Post)
Criminalizing Dissent (Dec. 11, 2003 / The Free Press)
Watching the Detectives (Dec. 11, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Headbangers Ball (Dec. 11, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Preparations Eased Debate (Dec. 10, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami ups the ante for FTAA (Dec. 9, 2003 / Miami Herald) "City leaders have agreed to pay for half of the $12 million to $16 million needed to build the FTAA secretariat ...Along with half of the construction tab, Miami has agreed to pay for nearly all of the 50,000-to-60,000-squarefoot building's expenses, from electric bills to janitors' salaries.... Arrizurieta and a city spokeswoman were unable to provide cost estimates Monday evening, though the commercial brokers interviewed estimated the costs would be less than $1 million a year." ("City leaders" will pay? Yeah right. TAXPAYERS will pay -- while transnational traders and upscale hotels reap the economic windfall).
Groups plan to sue city over FTAA actions by police (Dec. 8, 2003 / Miami Herald)
FTAA takes stage in Senate race (Dec. 8, 2003 / Miami Herald)
ACLU Rep Says FTAA Arrests Show Signs Of Profiling (Dec. 8, 2003 / AP); Arrested activists fit profile, analysis finds (Dec. 7, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Activists scold Penelas for role in policing trade protests (Dec. 7, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tribute to officer is not proof of one's open mind (Dec. 7, 2003 / Miami Herald) "On Tuesday, the city of Miami's Civilian Investigative Panel announced it was going to examine complaints against the Miami Police Department for the way it dealt with protests last month against the Free Trade Area of the Americas.... CIP member Peter Roulhac said in a subsequent interview... it was vital for members of the CIP to move into this review with an open mind and without any advance judgments about the conduct of the police. Less than 24 hours after Tuesday's CIP meeting, Roulhac, who is also president of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, praised Miami police Chief John Timoney at a chamber luncheon 'for the amazingly professional work you did during the week of the Americas Business Forum and the [FTAA] ministerial.' Roulhac then handed Timoney a plaque...."
Anarchist gives his side of story (Dec. 7, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Unions, police differ on FTAA protest debacle (Dec. 5, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Police, Legal Observers Clash in Miami (Dec. 5, 2003 / American Bar Association Journal)
Dangerous Medicine (Dec. 4, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Pick Your Reality (Dec. 4, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Timoney's work lauded (Dec. 4, 2003 / Miami Herald)
A sound thrashing for Miami's image (Dec. 4, 2003 / Miami Herald)
The power of the police needs watching (Dec. 4, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Filmmaker Says FTAA Pictures Show Police Violence (Dec. 3, 2003 / WPLG)
U.S. unions seek federal probe of Miami police (Dec. 3, 2003 / Reuters)
AFL-CIO asks for probe of practices at FTAA in Miami (Dec. 3, 2003 / AP)
Board wants to hear complaints on police conduct during summit (Dec. 3, 2003 / Miami Herald); Citizens' panel should review complaints (Dec. 3, 2003 / Miami Herald); Civilian Panel To Hear Complaints Against Police (Dec. 2, 2003 / WPLG)
FTAA security review shouldn't be done by cops (Dec. 2, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Miami crowd control would do tyrant proud (Nov. 30, 2003 / St. Petersburg Times)
Seniors, unions say to Penelas: Forget Senate (Nov. 30, 2003 / Miami Herald); Unions, retirees cool to Senate candidate (Dec. 2, 2003 / St. Petersburg Times)
ACLU: 'In the name of maintaining order, Chief Timoney suspended the constitutional rights of law-abiding people.' (Nov. 30, 2003 / Miami Herald); Police: 'The AFL-CIO should look inward and question the wisdom of inviting avowed troublemakers to participate in a rally...' (Nov. 30, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Inside a Miami Jail - One Activist's Narrative (Nov. 29, 2003 / Counter-Punch)
Protesters contend Miami police abused them, stepped on their civil rights (Nov. 28, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Scary police actions are a case of déjá vu (Nov. 27, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Group Wants Investigation of Police Tactics at Miami Trade Talks (Nov. 27, 2003 / New York Times); Groups Want Miami Police Action Probe (Nov. 27, 2003 / AP); Diverse Coalition Denounces Unprecedented Militarization of Miami, Brutal Police Tactics Applied Against Activists, Residents (Nov. 25, 2003 / U.S. Newswire)
Amnesty Calls for Probe of Miami Protest Policing (Nov. 27, 2003 / Reuters); Amnesty urges probe of police conduct (Nov. 27, 2003 / Miami Herald); USA: Allegations of excessive use of force and ill-treatment of protestors in Miami (Nov. 26, 2003 / Amnesty International)
Thanks to cops, the anarchists are the winners (Nov. 27, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Jailhouse Crock (Nov. 27, 2003 / Miami New Times); Now Entering Fort Miami (Nov. 27, 2003 / Miami New Times)
Massacre in Miami? It was a defeat for protesters (Nov. 27, 2003 / Capital Times)
America's enemy within (Nov. 26, 2003 / Guardian) "Armed checkpoints, embedded reporters in flak jackets, brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrators. Baghdad? No, Miami..." by Naomi Klein.
Criminalizing Dissent: What Miami Means (Nov. 26, 2003 / Americas.org)
Miami's ill-considered war on dissent (Nov. 26, 2003 / Star Tribune)
Police Accused of Abusing Demonstrators (Nov. 26, 2003 / AP); Union: Police broke protest promise (Nov. 26, 2003 / Miami Herald); Retirees criticize heavy-handed police tactics during FTAA trade talks (Nov. 26, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Volunteer At FTAA Dies Of Meningitis (Nov. 26, 2003 / AP) "[Jordan] Feder was an activist and a volunteer medic for demonstrators at the trade talks, according to the Independent Media Center Web site. Officials have launched an investigation to see if anyone was exposed to meningitis by the man. So far, no other cases have been confirmed in North Carolina or Florida, health officials said. The victim had contracted Neisseria meningitis, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets. It can be fatal in up to 20 percent of all untreated cases. Symptoms, which usually appear within four days of being infected, can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a stiff neck, rash, confusion, sleepiness and discomfort while looking into bright light...." For more info. on meningitis, please go to FTAA IMC.
Miami law governing protests was not used against anti-FTAA demonstrators (Nov. 25, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) "...Critics who said it would allow authorities to trample on free speech say the fact that police did not arrest anyone for violating the law shows it was never needed. They worry that police will use the law to make arbitrary arrests in minority communities long after anti-globalization demonstrators have left town. 'It will be used as a tool for abuse against blacks and Hispanics,' said Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, president of the Miami chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. 'It needs to come off the books.'..."
Connecticut native injured in trade talks protest (Nov. 25, 2003 / AP)
Groups Condemn Miami Police 'Repressive Tactics' (Nov. 25, 2003 / WPLG)
Trade protesters plan legal action (Nov. 25, 2003 / Palm Beach Post)
Probe of police action urged (Nov. 25, 2003 / Miami Herald); USWA criticizes Miami police (Nov. 25, 2003 / South Florida Business Journal); USWA Calls for Congressional Investigation into Police-State Assaults in Miami (Nov. 24, 2003 / United Steelworkers of America)
The Miami Model (Nov. 24, 2003 / Democracy Now)
Analysis: Suits planned in Miami protest (Nov. 24, 2003 / UPI)
Miami reporter unclear why she was arrested at FTAA protest (Nov. 24, 2003 / AP)
Protester complains of injuries (Nov. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald)
FTAA protesters believe deeply in their causes (Nov. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Arrested FTAA Protesters Face Judge (Nov. 24, 2003 / WPLG)
8 Observers Seized at FTAA, 4 Beaten (Nov. 23, 2003 / AP)
He respected the badge, but `not in Miami' (Nov. 23, 2003 / Miami Herald); Timoney -- Top cop on the front lines (Nov. 23, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Protesters released to quiet streets (Nov. 23, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Dozens of anti-FTAA activists processed through Miami courts (Nov. 22, 2003 / AP)
Unprecedented levels of police violence malign protester's' rights; numerous injuries cited (Nov. 22, 2003 / Miami Activist Defence)
Activists say many arrests were unlawful (Nov. 22, 2003 / Miami Herald); Police hold activists but discard property (Nov. 22, 2003 / Miami Herald); Police praise selves on absence of chaos (Nov. 22, 2003 / Miami Herald); Miami trade summit security both hailed and reviled (Nov. 22, 2003 / Palm Beach Post); Seattle riot was catalyst (Nov. 22, 2003 / Orlando Sentinel)
A Sad Day for Miami (Nov. 21, 2003 / Common Dreams)
Journalist embeds have varying experiences during Miami protests (Nov. 21, 2003 / AP)
Anti-globalization arrests swell -- despite end of trade meetings (Nov. 21, 2003 / AFP); Anti-globalization protesters remain defiant as arrests swell (Nov. 21, 2003 / AFP)
Police break up new, small protests (Nov. 21, 2003 / Miami Herald); Rubber bullets fly in Miami (Nov. 21, 2003 / Rocky Mountain Telegram); FTAA demonstrations turn violent (Nov. 21, 2003 / Palm Beach Post); FTAA protesters easily quelled by well-prepared police in Miami (Nov. 21, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Protesters: Police overreacted during Miami trade talks (Nov. 21, 2003 / AP) "The National Lawyers Guild asked Friday for an independent investigation into officers' behaviors during Thursday's clashes. The group sent monitors to record police behavior at the protests.... There have been 172 arrests in Miami, compared to 570 during the Seattle protests. At least three officers and 12 demonstrators were treated at hospitals Thursday and at least 125 demonstrators were treated by medics affiliated with protest organizers...."
Rights trampled in arrests linked to FTAA, lawyers say (Nov. 21, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); Big police presence; few clashes (Nov. 21, 2003 / Miami Herald); Clashes remind local activist of '60's protests (Nov. 21, 2003 / Gainesville Sun)
Mayhem in Miami: Amidst Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Democracy Now! Reports From the Streets of the FTAA Protest (Nov. 21, 2003 / Democracy Now); Dozens hurt in Miami free trade protests (Nov. 21, 2003 / Boston Globe); Dozens of Demonstrators Arrested in Miami (Nov. 20, 2003 / AP); Police Gas Miami Trade Protesters (Nov. 20, 2003 / Reuters); Free Trade Protesters Gather in Miami (Nov. 21, 2003 / AP)
Cracks appear in cities' quests to headquarter free trade office (Nov. 21, 2003 / Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Protesters, police clash as Americas trade summit ends early (Nov. 21, 2003 / AFP); Protesters, police clash as Americas trade meeting starts (Nov. 20, 2003 / AFP)
In Florida, taking no chances: Tight lid on Miami (Nov. 20, 2003 / Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Miami Vice (Nov. 20, 2003 / AlterNet) Tom Hayden article.
Free trade as fighting words (Nov. 20, 2003 / Baltimore Sun)
Amid free trade talks, plenty of disturbing barriers (Nov. 20, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Police, Trade Protesters Clash in Miami (Nov. 20, 2003 / Reuters); Police, Trade Protesters Clash in Miami (Nov. 20, 2003 / AP)
Police using intimidation as a weapon (Nov. 20, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Activist Defence Group: Miami Police engage in unnecessary violence against FTAA protests (Nov. 20, 2003 / Miami Activist Defence)
Protesters wary of Miami using fire code as harassment tool (Nov. 20, 2003 / Daily Business Review)
A solitary quest for pro-FTAA activist (Nov. 20, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Police 'prepared for the worst' as FTAA protests gear up (Nov. 20, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Activists build puppets, paint signs to protest FTAA agreement (Nov. 19, 2003 / AFP)
Cautious police blow up a can of paint (Nov. 19, 2003 / Miami Herald) ...and destroy someone's car in the process. This is being "cautious"?!
Ordinary people join in protests (Nov. 19, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Police make new arrests on the eve of major protests; suspicious items seized (Nov. 19, 2003 / Miami Herald); Miami Puts on Battle Gear for Trade Protests (Nov. 19, 2003 / Reuters) "...Lt. Bill Schwartz of the Miami city police said seven "suspected anarchists" were arrested after being found squatting in an abandoned seafront mansion that once belonged to the Burdines department store family...."
Security tight as FTAA protests increase in preparation for march (Nov. 19, 2003 / AP) "...Parts of downtown Miami resembled a police state Wednesday. Checkpoints with armed police officers blocked pedestrians without proper credentials from certain streets. Squad cars were on almost every block. Troopers searched vehicles before they could enter certain streets. ...The Florida Fair Trade Coalition, an anti-trade talks group, said that their media center at the Bayside Marketplace tourist attraction was raided by seven officers who searched through documents but made no arrests. Miami police did not immediately comment on Wednesday's raid...."
Housing plans change at Miami shelter, Gables church (Nov. 19, 2003 / Daily Business Review) "FTAA protest leaders said Tuesday that they face a housing shortage after government officials pressured two local religious groups to renege on commitments to provide a vacant lot for a campsite and space in a church...."
Armored Vehicles Patrol Quiet, Empty Streets (Nov. 18, 2003 / WPLG)Legal Defence Group issues notice of intent to Miami City to stem preemptive police actions and possible raid of anti-FTAA activist "Welcome Center" (Nov. 18, 2003 / Miami Activist Defence)
Activists Claim Police Harassment (Nov. 18, 2003 / WPLG) "... At a press conference in front of Miami City Hall Monday, activist organizations and supporters condemned what they see as police behavior over the past couple of weeks leading up to FTAA. 'We are documenting and gathering evidence of misconduct in order to hold the police, the city, and specifically Mayor (Manny) Diaz accountable and to take any necessary legal action,' said Andrea Costello, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild and Miami Activist Defense...."
Police cordon off downtown area ahead of expected FTAA protests (Nov. 18, 2003 / AFP); Anti-trade marchers make way into Miami (Nov. 18, 2003 / UPI)
Protesters rally at NE 79th Street, approach downtown Miami as calm prevails (Nov. 18, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...Police reported finding suspicious packages in at least three locations in the center of Miami, mostly around the government center. At one point, Miami-Dade College was partially evacuated.... Two of the packages were detonated ''in an abundance of caution,'' a spokesman said, and no explosive or otherwise dangerous materials were found in any of the packages. Police spokesmen said they believed the packages were left by protesters who wanted to harass authorities ... but no proof of that theory was provided...." Right. No proof. One could as easily speculate that the packages were left by the police themselves as a way of casting suspicion on protesters (in Genoa, proof of the latter theory was eventually established... see: Genoa Police 'Admit Fabrication' ).
FTAA protesters bristling at low-level police efforts (Nov. 18, 2003 / Daily Business Review) "...Nine protesters arrested thus far one in Lake Worth and eight in Miami have included a designated legal observer and a medic. Protesters claim that without being arrested they are being stopped, questioned and searched by police officers with no apparent cause.... When several Federal Protective Service and Miami police officers detained two men for more than an hour, one officer yelled at a Daily Business Review photographer who was taking pictures at the scene. The FPS officer ordered her to stop taking pictures, saying it was interfering with an investigation. The scene was not marked with police tape and the photographer was on a public sidewalk, 30 feet away...."; See also 'Necessary evil' that curbs rights is not needed (Nov. 18, 2003 / Miami Herald) which includes a bit of exposé material on Police Chief John Timoney, the man behind the protester harrassment campaign.
5 arrested in a 'quiet' downtown (Nov. 18, 2003 / Miami Herald); Miami held in police grip as trade meetings gear up (Nov. 18, 2003 / Palm Beach Post)
Minor scrapes with police, complaints by activists mark onset of free trade meetings (Nov. 18, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); Miami streets eerily silent with few visitors, many police officers (Nov. 18, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Union members gear up to voice opposition to FTAA trade talks (Nov. 18, 2003 / AP)
FTAA Turns Miami Into Ghost Town (Nov. 17, 2003 / WPLG)
Miami free-trade protesters allege police harassment (Nov. 17, 2003 / AP)
Miami police brace for demonstrations at FTAA summit (Nov. 17, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Anti-globalization protesters share same goal: Shut down free trade talks (Nov. 17, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
FTAA protesters start 34-mile march from Broward to Miami (Nov. 17, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
A protester as a youth, now an FTAA leader (Nov. 17, 2003 / Miami Herald) Instead of going out and interviewing a real protester, reporter Oscar Corral gives us an FTAA schemer who once, as a student, "let his hair and his beard grow out".
A tall order for police, local leaders (Nov. 17, 2003 / Miami Herald) Editorial promulgating the usual stuff. "...A small group of agitators, some of them self-described anarchists, comes to events such as these to wreak havoc. These folks do nothing for their cause -- whatever that might be -- besides to destroy property and hurt others. Worse, they tend to drown out legitimate voices that contribute to the real substance of the trade debate...." And watch how the writer defends "free-speech rights of thousands of local residents and visitors who wish to voice alternate visions of free trade." Step out of that free-trade paradigm, and you can kiss your 'free-speech rights' goodbye.
First protest peaceful, but tensions stay high (Nov. 16, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Officials set for heated discussions (Nov. 16, 2003 / Miami Herald) Overview of what's happening on the 'inside' during the next week.
Demonstrators Surround Miami Trade Talks (Nov. 16, 2003 / AP)
Miami girds as summit events begin (Nov. 16, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...Police won't say much about the specifics of their plan but say they're prepared to defend the types of targets violent protesters have attacked in other cities -- the summit site, the port, major intersections and highways, multinational corporations...."
Five accused of blocking sidewalk (Nov. 16, 2003 / Miami Herald); Five Protesters Are Arrested in Miami (Nov. 15, 2003 / AP) The Timoney harrassment and incrimination campaign continues: "...Five people were arrested Saturday in downtown Miami and charged with obstructing a sidewalk. Officers asked them to clear out of the way several times, but they refused, said Lt. Bill Schwartz...." The second article uses the incident as an excuse to expand upon the 'potential violence' theme ....
Officials, groups prepare to lend aid (Nov. 15, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...The American Civil Liberties Union, which has expressed concern about tactics employed by city officials -- specifically a controversial ordinance passed Thursday limiting what protesters can carry during marches and demonstrations -- will operate a 24-hour hot line offering legal advice and referrals. The local chapter of the ACLU has distributed 10,000 copies of a brochure outlining what demonstrators should do -- and not do -- while trying to voice their opinion.... "
Miami Braces for Trade Talks Protesters (Nov. 15, 2003 / AP)
Trade pact could mean $13.6 billion Florida boon (Nov. 15, 2003 / Palm Beach Post) "If Miami lands the secretariat, spillover into tourism and real estate in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast is inevitable, said Al Zucaro, president of the West Palm Beach-based World Trade Center Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast...." That's great news for real estate kingpin Chuck Cobb (who happens to be chairing Florida FTAA Inc., the lobby group set on securing permanent secretariat status for Miami). Unfortunately, no effort seems to have been made to count how many billions of dollars Florida workers will lose as their jobs disappear....
Seniors to join in protest during Free Trade Area of the Americas (Nov. 15, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) "...More than 1,000 retirees from throughout Florida will pack two dozen buses and head to Miami on Thursday to express their objections to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas...."
For older news items specific to Miami (Nov. 14, 2003 and earlier), see Earlier Miami Reports