There was a real threat to the social order on the streets of Miami last week, during the Ministerial Meeting of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
...The threat came from the Miami police, Florida state troopers and the other police and military forces patrolling the city.
With more than $10 million in special funding (including an $8.5 million allocation in the federal government's Iraq appropriations bill), 2,500 or so officers -- many clad in full body armor and backed up by armored vehicles -- turned Miami into a veritable police state.
As was almost inevitable, the police used wildly excessive force to deal with protesters. They launched unprovoked attacks against people who were doing nothing illegal. They sprayed tear gas and pepper spray at protesters -- including retirees -- and shot many with rubber bullets. They used taser guns. They knocked down peaceful protesters and held guns to their heads. They blocked thousands of retirees and union members on buses from joining a rally and march for which all required permits had been obtained. They attacked journalists viewed as hostile. They arrested approximately 250 persons, according to the best estimates, with little or no rationale. Credible reports have emerged of brutality and sexual harassment against several of those jailed.
Militarization in Miami: Threatening the Right to Protest
You can help by sending a fax to Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz protesting the violation of constitutional rights. Public Citizen has established a free fax site at: LINK.
Those who are facing charges will need legal help. You can donate to support them by going to: LINK or to LINK.
Also of interest:
Amnesty International Calls for Probe of Miami Protest Policing.
The Miami FTAA Summit Last Week Was a Doozy.
Miami police did not abide by an agreement to allow 25 busloads of seniors access to an anti-free-trade rally.
Miami's Ill-considered War on Dissent.
Heavy-handed Police and Propaganda Tactics Brought Baghdad to Miami.