RESIST THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS (FTAA)
Older news items specific to Miami (Nov.14, 2003 and earlier). See Miami News for more recent reports related to Miami (Nov. 15, 2003 to present).
BSO warns FTAA protesters plan Sunday march in Oakland Park (Nov. 14, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
RCMP watchdog: Riot tactics at summit 'excessive and unjustified' (Nov. 14, 2003 / Vancouver Sun); Fire Mounties accused of abuse: MP (Nov. 14, 2003 / Vancouver Sun); RCMP used 'excessive, unjustified force' at 2001 Quebec City summit: watchdog (Nov. 13, 2003 / CP) This info is not Miami-specific, but as an official denunciation of repressive police tactics at the 2001 FTAA protest, it should have implications for Miami....
Ivy League protester takes on free trade system from within (Nov. 14, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Businesses Hunker Down For FTAA Talks, Protests (Nov. 14, 2003 / AP); Coast Guard Restricts Waterways Near Conference (Nov. 13, 2003 / WPLG); Schools Prepare For FTAA (Nov. 13, 2003 / WPLG) "...Many of the schools within the zone have been practicing 'code red lockdowns' since September in preparation for the FTAA. In a lockdown drill, gates are locked; doors are locked; security double-checks all doors as they make their rounds; and students stay in their rooms until all is clear....." (The fear drill... because democracy can be contagious.)
Miami Ready for Free Trade Protesters (Nov. 14, 2003 / AP)
Tougher protest limits approved (Nov. 14, 2003 / Miami Herald); Miami law boosts police powers to arrest protesters at trade meeting (Nov. 14, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); Miami commission OKs weapons ban by trade talks protesters (Nov. 13, 2003 / AP); Miami Passes Tough Rules For Trade Talk Protesters (Nov. 13, 2003 / NBC6); For the text of the actual ordinance, see: Final Text of the Miami Ordinance
War on terror methods for Miami anti-globalization protests (Nov. 14, 2003 / World Socialist Web Site) Nice overview of how things are shaping up in Miami with a focus in the latter part of the article on the 'embedding' issue.
South Florida's Brazilians warm to FTAA (Nov. 14, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) No doubt there are some expat Brazilians who will be in an ideal position to profit from opportunities to undermine domestic Brazilian producers, but do these people represent the larger views of the Brazilian community, expat or otherwise? In the Miami Herald, the same article is reprinted with the headline adding a broader spin: South Florida Businesses Support Free Trade Area (Nov. 14, 2003 / Miami Herald)
'Pagan witch' casts her spell in support of protest s at FTAA talks (Nov. 14, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Starhawk puts it succinctly: "the FTAA's world ....is a place that should be open to exploitation.... That's really a pretty pathetic goal for a culture or society."
Arrest of 3 anti-globalization activists provokes criticism (Nov. 13, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...Criminal defense attorney Arthur Spiegel said police can use the loitering statute to stop people who are acting suspiciously but wondered how police would defend arresting three people walking down a major thoroughfare in daylight. 'These are just guys walking along the street with backpacks,' he said. 'It's not like they were observed in the middle of the night behind closed businesses under suspicious circumstances. What happened is they didn't kowtow sufficiently to the police.'... "
Police describe many of the Miami free trade protesters as 'anarchists' (Nov. 13, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) Well, well... the famous 'disinformation memo' gets identified: "...Tom Cash, a retired DEA agent who wrote the memo as senior managing director for Kroll, Inc...." Ah, but who paid Kroll Inc. to create and to distribute the memo?? (Note: Kroll has, among other things, contracts to act as independent monitor for L.A. and Detroit police departments...see Kroll, Inc.)
Goodwill group to monitor crowds, police at free trade meeting (Nov. 13, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) "When demonstrators take to downtown streets to protest the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting, they will be joined by up to 80 blue-shirted friends -- goodwill ambassadors from Miami-Dade County's Community Relations Board (CRB).... Miami police invited the 40-year-old board to participate...." Blue-shirted? Invited by the police? Hmm... ya gotta wonder....
Marches, 'trial' on protest agenda (Nov. 13, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Miami-Dade Police Say 'We're Ready' (Nov. 13, 2003 / WPLG)
Protesters warned: Hands off the cops (Nov. 12, 2003 / Reuters) "...[Police Chief John] Timoney would not go into detail on police plans except to say officers were trained "to use the utmost restraint." Nonviolent offenders, such as those carrying banned items or lying in the street to block traffic, would receive warnings rather than automatic arrest...."
Miami Protesters See Rich Heritage in Dissent (Nov. 12, 2003 / Reuters) "...Among the 35,000 protesters Miami police expect for the Nov. 17-21 FTAA ministerial meeting will be pensioners, students, union members and veterans like Spisak, 51, of the fight for desegregation and rallies against the Vietnam War. Most plan nothing more unlawful than sit-ins to block streets, puppet shows and a nude rally at a Miami Beach Gap store to protest sweatshop labor...."
Miami police expect peaceful protests during trade summit, but prepare for riots (Nov. 12, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Locals head to Miami to protest FTAA (Nov. 12, 2003 / Pioneer Press) "A group of some 280 Minnesotans are headed to Miami next week ...."
FTAA Protesters Say They Are Already Targets (Nov. 12, 2003 / WPLG) More on the Timoney harrassment campaign....
Protesters Prepare For Massive Demonstrations (Nov. 12, 2003 / WPLG) Includes further info on arrests: "...Kaitlyn Tikkun, 32, of Vermont will be back in court Thursday. Her bond was set at $7,000, but the arresting officer said he wants to testify to convince the judge to keep her in jail. Two other men are facing misdemeanor charges. Their bond is set at $1,000 each...."
3 linked to protests are arrested (Nov. 12, 2003 / Miami Herald) The intimidation campaign swings into gear: "...They were arrested by the county's anti-robbery detail, which was passing along Miami Avenue in Miami when they noticed Tikkun and Pitula walking down the street carrying backpacks....[Detective Juan DelCastillo, Miami-Dade police spokesman said:] '...when they were stopped they did not provide anything to dispel the alarm of the officers that stopped them. We had no other choice than to arrest them for loitering and prowling'...." (Attention Police Chief John Timoney: What exactly are citizens are expected to "provide" when an officer experiences "alarm" at the sight of a backpack? A panic attack pill for the officer? A bouquet of flowers? Please advise. Over and out. ); Anti-Trade Activists Claim Harassment, Arrests By Police (Nov. 11, 2003 / NBC); Protesters Arrested Ahead Of Free Trade Summit (Nov. 13, 2003 / MSNBC)
GM tops list of FTAA private-sector donors (Nov. 10, 2003 / Miami Herald) "The Cadillac-maker's $250,000 cash donation is the largest on a tally of 49 private-sector gifts totaling $1.6 million -- less than half of the $3.6 million tab for the week-long gathering for the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas treaty...."; See also this link to complete list of FTAA private sector sponsors
Protesters: Hear message, don't fear the messengers (Nov. 11, 2003 / Miami Herald) Overall, a positive article, but yet again, anarchists are portrayed as the evil few. The obsession with anarchist-bashing has to be addressed....
Retirees plan trek to protest free-trade pact (Nov. 11, 2003 / Palm Beach Post) "I have yet to find an American who asked for this agreement. No one asked Congress for it," said Tony Fransetta, president of The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Inc. "It didn't come from the citrus industry or from manufacturers. It came from multinational companies seeking even cheaper labor markets.... Fransetta said that as many as 4,000 alliance members would attend the Miami meeting..." 4000!! Bravo for the Raging Retirees!
Security boosted for FTAA talks (Nov. 10, 2003 / Miami Herald) Between forays of anarchist bashing, there are a few bits of info on the security plan... like the funds for "purchasing or leasing equipment, including stun guns and, in a worst-case scenario, fire trucks for Miami-Dade County police that could be used as water cannons...."
Miami cops may embed reporters at FTAA conference (Nov. 10, 2003 / AP) "Police preparing for large and potentially violent protests during trade talks here next week are borrowing a tactic from the Pentagon: They are offering to "embed" reporters in police squads. ..."
Miami braces for storm of protest on free-trade zone (Nov. 9, 2003 / Orlando Sentinel)
'Suspected anarchists' face loitering charges in N. Miami Beach (Nov. 7, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) "North Miami Beach police have arrested two people, calling them "suspected anarchists" who were possibly intent on wrecking havoc during free trade talks in Miami this month...." And the basis of this allegation? -- "the officer noticed that their truck contained a garden hose and several gasoline cans." Oooo! And not just any truck; this one was "a suspicious vehicle with California plates". Oooooo! And what were they doing when arrested? -- "trying to get back into their truck." Ooooooo!!!
Protest worries to bring week of closings (Nov. 7, 2003 / Miami Herald) Panic! panic! panic!: "...Sandy Hequin is ''terrified'' about the potential havoc when tens of thousands of protesters march by the glass windows of her store, Morays Jewelers. She decided to let her 14 employees stay home after seeing pictures this week of what happened in 1999 at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle...." (Reminder for Morays Jewelers clerks and other liberated workers: Nov. 20 -- rally at NOON, BayFront Park Amphitheater -- see calendar link above for further details). See also: Courthouses, post office to close for FTAA (Nov. 7, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Miami Getting Prepared For Controversial Conference (Nov. 6, 2003 / WPLG) "....MPD estimates that it's already spent $131,000 in overtime for training, as well as for seminars for community and business leaders. The department expects to have spent another $520,000 for new equipment and supplies. By the time the talks end, the city will reportedly have spent at least $2 million.... 40 law enforcement agencies will be involved keeping the peace. The Miami-Dade County Police Department conducted all its field force training during on-duty hours, but it's spent $900,000 for special equipment. MDPD estimates anywhere between $4 million to $8 million in overtime costs by the time the FTAA conference ends...."
Crime and Water Balloons (Nov. 6, 2003 / Miami New Times)
City secures money to run talks (Nov. 6, 2003 / Miami Herald) "Miami has raised most of the $12 million ["raised" is being used loosely here; the article later clarifies that 2m is state and local govt. money, and 8.5m is federal money... ] needed to run a round of trade talks this month .... The bulk of the money will fund police salaries and overtime in securing downtown Miami in the face of what law enforcement leaders predict will be massive street protests and possible nuisance tactics, including blocking major roadways...." (same old strategy: blame the protesters, not the FTAA...) Also note: "One of the major backers of Miami's efforts is the Miami Herald Publishing Co., which has contributed cash and free ad space to both the trade meeting budget and the campaign to win the headquarters, according to Florida FTAA and Herald officials" (there's freedom of the press for you); Iraq war bill includes millions for Miami trade meeting (Nov. 4, 2003 / Palm Beach Post) "Buried in a bill that provides money for the war in Iraq is an $8.5 million federal boost for Miami to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference later this month...."
Stop the alarmist rhetoric (Nov. 4, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...'If we don't get it, it's the end of an era,' Mark Rosenberg, provost of FIU, was quoted as saying in The Miami Herald two Sundays ago, about the efforts to make Miami the headquarters site of the FTAA.... The concerns that bring protesters to Miami deserve to be considered on their merits, even if it results in some inconveniences for everyone. For them, and for this community, a failure to allow that to happen without chaos from either disruptive protesters or unwarranted provocations by police could also result in the end of an era. Many should fear losing that far more than losing the FTAA headquarters...."
Miami prepares for trade talks protest (Nov. 3, 2003 / Palm Beach Post) "...It's as if a hurricane is bearing down on Miami: The cruise ships are pulling out. The federal courts are closing down. And much of downtown's elevated train system will be off limits -- something that only happens when the city braces for gale-force winds. Weeks before 34 ministers gather for the Free Trade Areas of the Americas Conference, Miami is battening down for a storm of protest ...."
Closures: Cruise lines plan FTAA move (Oct. 31, 2003 / Miami Herald); Miami federal courthouses will be closed week of Nov. 17 to avoid conflicts with trade talks (Oct. 30, 2003 / Miami Herald) (but also, I imagine, so that some of the administrative structures can be focussed on dealing with protest arrests).
Anti-Free-Trade Groups Hold Protest At Biltmore Hotel (Oct. 29, 2003 / MSNBC)
Boca Council adopts ban on weapons at protests (Oct. 28, 2003 / Boca Raton News); see also: ordinance_4748
3 article feature in Sun Sentinel spotlighting 3 local activists: Wayne Parker, a staunch union supporter, thinks the FTAA will be a drain on U.S. workers (Oct. 26, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); Since he was a child, Pedro Monteiro has felt a deep commitment to environmental causes (Oct. 26, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel); The Rev. Lucy Hitchcock Seck has spent much of her life spreading respect for human dignity (Oct. 26, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Cobb leads race against rival sites (Oct. 26, 2003 / Miami Herald) For a guy who attained success by funnelling huge real estate opportunities (e.g. DisneyWorld development) to his old cronies at Kaiser Aluminum, Charles E. Cobb is an odd choice as a champion of 'free' trade. But look at this journalist laying it on: ''... 'He really tries to do what's right for the world,' said Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, president of Barry University, which awarded an honorary doctorate to Cobb in 1999. 'His whole family goes out of their way to help those who have not been so blessed.'.... " (see Feb. 3 article below for more on Cobb...); Miami's bid for trade headquarters puts image on the line (Oct. 26, 2003 / Miami Herald) " ... according to a 2000 Deutsche Bank study. Many multinational corporations -- including Microsoft, IBM and MTV -- chose South Florida for their Latin American divisions...." .
If you come to Miami in November, this is what you will see… - penetrating look into socio-economic past and present of Miami
Miami businesses, workers fear impact of the summit (Oct. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald) Lots of the usual fear mongering, but how about this notable exception: "... Hernan Velez, manager of the Mail and Business Center in the Northwest Capital ... will stay open and market his services to protesters who might need the Internet or copiers to print fliers. ' I'll stay open all night if that's what they want,' Velez said. 'I just can't afford to close.' ''
Police working on plan to keep traffic moving (Oct. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald) Many of the city's downtown parking lots will be closed and "...police have rented out at least three private lots managed by MDM Parking for the entire week, said Tony Galarce of MDM. Schwartz said the police need the lots to store vehicles and equipment so that they can respond to any security threats quickly...." That should do wonders for the traffic situation.
Free Trade Area of the Americas Events (Oct. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald) - Look at this stuff - two corporate love-ins and one lopsided panel. If you're in the vicinity, it might be worth getting out to the Downtown Bay Forum to help Max Rameau (see: Workers Center to protest the FTAA) whittle down the two pro-FTAA panellists ....
Critics fear free trade treaty would overrule local laws (Oct. 24, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Call for STILT-BLOC to STICK IT TO THE FTAA! (Oct. 24, 2003 / FTAA IMC)
Miami commissioners support limiting protests at upcoming trade summit (Oct. 24, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel) "Imagine the Goombay Festival without stilt walkers. The King Mango Strut Parade without floats. Or even a child's birthday party without water balloons. That's what could happen in Miami under the newest version of a controversial ordinance originally designed to give police sweeping powers to arrest demonstrators during free-trade meetings next month...."; Miami FTAA protest plan wins initial approval (Oct. 24, 2003 / AP); Rules for protests get first approval (Oct. 24, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Bolivia's deposed president has just joined other leaders-in-exile in the city that's also home to refugees from their policies (Oct. 23, 2003 / Globe&Mail) Miami and its simmering contradictions... perspectives from Naomi Klein.
Adopt protest revisions (Oct. 23, 2003 / Miami Herald) Herald editorial in favor of revised Miami ordinance restricting 'legitimate' protest
Coalition outlines plans for peaceful protests at Miami free trade meeting (Oct. 22, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
FTAA doesn't mean much now, but it will next monthmeeting (Oct. 21, 2003 / South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Memo distributed to businesses near FTAA venue (Oct. 21, 2003 / anonymous) The disinformation campaign gears up....
Anti-protest law before FTAA meeting draws fire (Oct. 21, 2003 / Miami Herald) "...on Thursday, city commissioners are expected to vote on a controversial ordinance... [which] 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...."
FHP troopers training for possible riots at Miami trade summit (Oct. 20, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel) "...the security effort will involve about 6,000 law enforcement officers. Troopers will be deployed Nov. 16 and stay in Miami for an entire week...."
West Coast FTAA Consulta Reportback (Oct. 18, 2003)
Trade protesters mean business, analyst warns (Oct. 1, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Miami gets backing as free trade base (Sept. 18, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Meet Us in Miami (Sept. 11, 2003 / Miami New Times)
The Timoney School of Crowd Control (Aug. 14, 2003) "...[Police Chief John] Timoney is distancing himself from the law-enforcement excesses in Philadelphia. He had nothing to do with the puppet warehouse arrests, he says. State police infiltrated the warehouse "unbeknownst to me, until that afternoon," he adds. The Sellers and McGuckin arrests weren't preemptive, he claims, because the convention had already begun. As for their bail: 'I said at the time I thought it was too high'...."
Police chief: We're prepared for protests at free-trade talks (July 13, 2003 / Miami Herald)
Miami prepares for trade summit (June 29, 2003 / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Call for a Padded Bloc this November in Miami Shutdown the FTAA! (June 28, 2003 / POG)
Miami Organizing - Info from Public Citizen... (June 4)
Pittsburgh Call to Action (May 25, 2003 / Pittsburgh FTAA Project)
US Trade Representative office warned that it must be better prepared for November trade meetings (May 22, 2003 / Miami Today) "The US General Accounting Office warns that the Office of the US Trade Representative must get better prepared for November's free trade meetings in Miami or possibly face a repeat of 1999's violence in Seattle.... Miami organizers estimate expenses at more than $11 million, with more than half for security. The trade representative's office and Miami organizers expect 20,000 to 100,000 demonstrators, according to the accounting office's report...." See: Negotiations Progress, but Successful Ministerial Hinges on Intensified U.S. Preparations (April 2003 / US General Accounting Office) for full report, and Highlights for a cogent summary.
Miami Police Department to recruit security help for hemispheric trade conferences (May 15, 2003 / Miami Today) "How many will come to oppose free trade is not known. Miami police are gathering information from demonstration permit requests and from the Internet, where much of the anti-FTAA movement is organized....Capt. Thomas Cannon, leading much of the security coordination for the events, said law-enforcement staff would number in the hundreds and would include city, county, state and federal authorities....Barricades and possibly fencing will be used. The Brickell Avenue Bridge will be closed during some events. Uniformed police will be assigned to Brickell Avenue, as visitors connected to the meetings may be staying at hotels along the corridor.... "
US, Kentucky, Louisville, FTAA Anti-Capitalist Consulta: Schedule of Events (May 10, 2003)
Trade conference to cost $11 million, but Miami relishes chance to shine (April 24, 2003 / Miami Today) - Note: In one of his more candid moments in the aftermath of the 2001 Summit of the Americas, Mayor Jean-Paul L'Allier of Quebec City said that given the chance all over again, he "would say no" to the idea of foisting an FTAA summit on the citizens of Quebec ("Si c'était à refaire, L'Allier ne proposerait pas sa ville" - 24 avril, 2001 / Cyberpresse).
US to needs to promote single site to win free trade area headquarters, ambassador says (April 10, 2003 / Miami Today)
Police acknowledge need for "flawless" work during Miami's hosting of trade ministerial meetings (March 27, 2003 / Miami Today) "... The challenge for local police during any FTAA demonstration, [Police Chief John Timoney] said, is: how to handle [unruly protesters] without having televised images of a Miami cop "beating the daylights" out of a demonstrator...."
Downtown Miami to become hub for Western Hemisphere's free trade meetings (March 20, 2003 / Miami Today)
Florida's Agriculture Industry Fears Free-Trade Zone (March 17, 2003 / Tampa Tribune)
FTAA in Miami: Choose Me (Feb. 26, 2003 / Miami Herald) With democracy about to be litigated into the past, Miami legal professionals hail potential bonanza: "In my 50 years practicing law, I think having the FTAA permanent secretariat based here is one of the biggest potential economic development projects I've seen for Miami," said Burton A. Landy, chair emeritus of the international practice group at Akerman Senterfitt in Miami....
Bush names FTAA leadership team, meeting dates (February 3, 2003 / South Florida Business Journal) - Jeb Bush has chosen Chuck Cobb to chair his 40-member Miami ministerial board of directors. Cobb is also chairing Florida FTAA Inc., the lobby group set on securing permanent secretariat status for Miami. The reason behind the choice of Cobb is clear. As Cobb himself put it, "I'm an active Republican and I am a strong supporter of Jeb Bush and George W. Bush. We [i.e. Chuck and wife Sue ($139,250 to the GOP) Cobb] are very, very close to the Bush family, we love the Bush family and we do anything the Bush family asks us to do." Cobb is a former chairman and CEO of Arvida/Disney. He contributed $25,000 to Jeb Bush's most recent gubernatorial campaign... (see: The Florida Council of 100?)
Next FTAA ministerial set for Nov. 20-21 in Miami (Jan. 31, 2003); 34-Country Trade Meeting Set for Nov. 20-21 (Jan. 31, 2003 / AP); Miami to host business summits (Feb. 1, 2003 / Miami Herald) - Miami developer Armando Codina, chairman and chief executive of the Codina Group (co-founded by his former business partner, Jeb Bush) has been selected to serve as the president of the Americas Business Forum which will be held in Miami just prior to the FTAA ministerial.
Gov. Bush names team to plan ministerial meeting, lure trade headquarters to Miami (January 16, 2003 / Miami Today)
Gov. Bush nears decision day for structure of trade leadership (January 9, 2003 / Miami Today)
Miami Planning Meeting - Jan. 11, 2003 Note that Florida Greed Leaders have also begun organizing their own pro-FTAA campaign; see: Florida Business Leaders Discuss Issues and Opportunities the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Brings to the State (Dec. 16, 2002 / PRNewswire)
Can Florida survive flood of foreign citrus? (Nov. 3, 2002 / Palm Beach Post); See also: Biased Toward Brazil (November 11, 2002 / Washington Post); and Florida Citrus Department to Polish Image with Radio, Television Campaign (Dec. 19, 2002 / The Ledger). Prior to considering any citrus alliance, activists are urged to take a closer look at the labour issues involved, e.g. : Slavery In Florida's Citrus Groves (Nov. 21, 2002 / CBS News); Citrus officials dispute trial judge's comments (Nov. 22, 2002 / Palm Beach Post); Florida: H-2A, Citrus, Tomatoes (January 2000 / Rural Migration News); Migrant workers hold breath on move toward mechanization (February 21, 1999 / Daily News)
Miami to host talks on hemispheric trade (November 2, Miami Herald)
Caricom backs T'dad, but Miami likely venue for FTAA secretariat (October 26, 2002 / Jamaica Observer) Jeb Bush's Florida FTAA Inc. is engaged in an all-out lobbying effort to have Miami chosen as FTAA headquarters, but Trinidad is also vying for the dishonour.
Florida FTAA, Inc. - Founded by Jeb Bush (brother of Dubya), this organization sent a large delegation down to Ecuador to lobby for having Miami selected as the future FTAA headquarters
Florida Fair Trade Coalition - includes many informative online FTAA pamphlets