Big challenge for Miami’s ambition (FTAA)

[Say_What]

2500 cops from 40 departments--paid for with one line in the $87 bln Iraq bill, which alloted $8.5 mln for security in Miami for FTAA.

<clips>

Miami security forces have engineered a tight security system to protect the city's reputation as the "bridge of the Americas" and prevent street protests from disrupting the Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, negotiations scheduled for November 20/21 that are expected to concentrate hundreds of delegates from 34 countries and thousands of protestors.

Miami is lobbying strongly to become the Secretariat of FTAA and on this occasion more than 2,500 police officers from 40 departments will face the challenge of ensuring peace for the all the ministers and high-ranking officials and keeping at bay an expected 50,000 demonstrators, including American trade unions, AFL_CIO to environmentalist and anti globalization groupings that are converging from all over United States.

Though the ministers are scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday of next week, business forums, debates and closed-door meetings begin this Monday.

In addition to protest marches, vigils, meetings and an officially authorized festival, Miami authorities anticipated they expect "moderate" civil disobedience, including sit-ins and stripping.

http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=2870

[Judi Lynn]

1. I've heard they've psyched themselves up to imagine they're being invaded

with a whole lot of gibbering going on from the Cuban "exile" radio stations, working up a rage against the very thought of "lib'ruls" trying to lay waste to their poverty-ridden town, where a normal American town used to be.

Yeah, they're ready, all right. Already arrested 5 protestors on Sunday, claiming they were clogging up the sidewalk, and they also arrested a "witness" to the event. Smooooth.

They've got one of the country's most violent, most crooked police forces on the job. Hope we won't be hearing of any shootings of protestors, with "throw down guns" found beside them by their crumpled signs!

[Judi Lynn]

2. It shouldn't be too hard to spot the protestors in Miami

It appears many of them are wearing brightly colored shirts, and look non-threatening.



Concerning the protestors:

(snip) The FTAA proposal is also drawing criticism from anti-globalization activists, a mix of environmentalists and union activists who plan to stage street protests throughout the week. An estimated 20,000 or more protesters are expected to turn out for a march Thursday.

Few demonstrators were out on the streets Monday. Some were expected to doff their clothes outside a Gap store to protest free trade.

Elsewhere, dozens were working on signs at a welcome center at a warehouse they've rented near downtown, and a security fence surrounding the hotel where trade officials are meeting was near completion Monday. Road closures downtown led to traffic jams for the few who decided to come to work this week. (snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-1117ftaaprotest,0,6368929.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

(I've read they intend to protest the Gap, regarding the "sweatshop conditions" surrounding the manufacture of some of the Gap's products.)