Probe of police action urged

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Tue, Nov. 25, 2003

FTAA AFTERMATH
Probe of police action urged
A steelworker's union calls for a congressional investigation into the conduct of Miami police during last week's demonstrations.
BY AMY DRISCOLL
[e-mail]

The United Steelworkers of America on Monday called for a congressional investigation into the conduct of Miami police and for the firing of Chief John Timoney after last week's turbulent demonstrations against the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

The union sent a letter to congressional leaders late Monday accusing the police of violating the constitutional rights of thousands of union members and others who gathered in downtown Miami on Thursday to participate in a permitted march to protest the FTAA.

The letter, signed by the union's international president, Leo Gerard, criticized the use of ''massive force, riot gear and armaments, including combat vehicles'' to quell the crowds of demonstrators. The situation was a ''massive police state,'' the letter said.

`REPRESSIVE PRESENCE'

''The obvious purpose of the repressive police presence in Miami was, at a minimum, to intimidate us and limit the exercise of our rights,'' the letter said. ``Phalanxes of police in riot gear stretched for blocks, as did police cars buttressed bumper to bumper.''

The letter also condemned the use of federal money for Miami's security costs, calling it money for ''homeland repression.'' The money -- $8.5 million -- was tacked onto an $87 billion spending bill for Iraq. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/7344278.htm

[el_gato]

1. those cops are filthy scum

and should be in jail as far as I'm concerned

[prolesunited]

2. Have more stories

about people who were actually there come out? Is there an organization that is collecting testimony, pictures and video? How do we get this story into the mainstream?

[Wonk]

7. Here are some

(snip)

But many protesters said they were peaceful and complied with officers' demands, only to be arrested anyway.

Bentley Killmon, 71, said he was trying to get back to the buses provided by the Alliance for Retired Americans when police pushed him to the ground, arrested him and handcuffed him for 12 hours.

(snip)

One protester remained in the hospital Tuesday with head injuries he says he suffered when police pinned him to the ground last week. Edward Owaki, 19, was being treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

(snip)

Owaki, who said he was linking arms with other protesters, was originally charged with disorderly conduct, although that charge was changed to a lesser charge.

more...
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/7348844.htm

[durutti]

3. Good

The unions actually have some clout. It's good to see they aren't abandoning their fellows.

[proud patriot]

4. I'll call my congresswoman today

:hi:

[Judi Lynn]

5. Remarks from Miami protester

(snip) Published on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 by the Miami Herald
Chaotic, Forceful Police Muddy Peaceful Gathering
by Coky Michel

I am not an anarchist.

I am a retired French teacher with 33 years of experience in Miami-Dade County schools and have been a member of the Sierra Club for nearly a quarter of a century. I joined last week's demonstration against the Free Trade Area of the Americas because I sincerely believe that this treaty is extremely dangerous and puts at risk our local, state and federal laws. (snip)


(snip) My husband and I were getting ready to leave the auditorium when we heard a commotion outside, smelled tear gas, and saw clashes between the young anarchists and the police. Anxious to head home and avoid walking to the Metrorail Government Station in the dark, my husband and I and two former students decided to wait until the situation cooled down.

Ambushed

But what should have been a pleasant, uneventful walk turned suddenly into chaos, with riot police shouting at us to ''move it, or else,'' telling us not to look back at them, and consistently giving us conflicting orders. Since most streets were blocked, we were forced to walk a few miles out of our way.

At one point, as we reached the railroad tracks, an officer shouted that we should make a left turn into the tracks and move on. As we followed his orders, dozens of policemen in full riot gear rushed towards us, surrounded us, and instructed us to put our hands behind our backs, so that the police could handcuff us. (snip/...)

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1125-03.htm

[durutti]

6. Another Thought

Unions should threaten to strike unless there's an investigation.

[0007]

8. Of all the underhanded actions taken by this administion since...

they've taken the White House this has to rate right up there. I'm indeed wondering why the Governor didn't step in -

This not only undermines our civil rights but is a slap in the face for democracy.

This issue must be dealt with by the highest authority of this country.