FTAA Protest day two

[veganwitch]

< 11-21-2003 10:55 > CTC facing police intimidation
a line of bike cops have blocked off the streets around the CTC. 7 people were arrested outside of the space. police came to the door and asked to be let in, they were not allowed in. People in the CTC are waiting to see what happens.

< 11-21-2003 10:51 > police at CTC
police are arresting or detaining people going into the Citizen's Trade Campaign office at 217 N Miami

further reports indicate that there are arrests taking place inside the CTC. we will try to confirm this soon.

< 11-21-2003 10:49 > riot cops suiting up on biscayne
several dozen police cars have pulled up at biscayne between 1st and 2nd, are putting on riot gear. no demonstrators are in the area.

< 11-21-2003 00:29 > Planned Gathering at Convergence Center Friday Morning
There is word of a planned gathering of all activists at the Convergence Center at 10a, Friday to hear reports and updates from the Legal Team on those arrested Thursday and to discuss ways to support them.


"we all live in a military state..."

[veganwitch]

1. the 7 detainees have been released

for the record the police have set the tenor for the day.

this was intimidation pure and simple. get ready.

sending safe thoughts to all those in miami.

[Terwilliger]

2. they cancelled this last day of meetings and talks, did they not?

that's what I heard last night

[veganwitch]

3. i thought they just ended

yesterday's talks early.

im havent been able to follow all of it today.

[Say_What]

7. According to Mercosur: Consensus in Miami surprises demonstrators

<clips>

Given the consensus reached and the fact that the more conflictive issues were left for further on, the closure of the meeting was anticipated 24 hours helping to relieve the mounting pressure from thousands of demonstrators who gathered in Miami to protest against globalization and the FTAA.

The final resolution was drafted by Brazil and United States, co-chairs of the Negotiating Committee of the VIII FTAA Ministerial round.

“We finished before we expected,…because we learnt the Cancun lesson”, said US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in direct reference to the failed WTO meeting last September.
“What we’ve agreed is written, and there’s an issue that opens discussions on agriculture”, indicated Celso Amorim, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister.
“We’re committed to reduce all our subsidies and also to jointly work on market access”, added Mr. Zoellick.

The Miami Declaration states that countries will attempt to develop common responsibilities and rights, equally applicable to all countries. The issues involved in the resolution are: market access, agriculture, services, investments, intellectual property, competition policies, subsidies and anti dumping legislation.

However the declaration leaves aside controversial issues such as specific agriculture subsidies, government procurement, investment rules and compensatory rights.

http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=2893

[brainshrub]

4. Videos of the protest here:

www.brainshrub.com

You can get more pics, sounds, videos and minute-by-minute posts at the official FTAAIMC site.

Enjoy!

[veganwitch]

5. talks are over, now support for the arrested

*there are over 60 felony charges!!!!!!!!!!*

< 11-21-2003 11:47 > update on arrests, jail solidarity
Between 130- 160 people were arrested yesterday. those charged with misdemeanors will have bond hearings today. Legal is also trying to secure bond hearings for those doing jail solidarity. Those held at Dade County jail face possible felony charges. (approx 100 misdemeanors, 60 felony charges)

If you are interested in doing an action in solidarity with the arrestees, please meet at the intersection of NW 12th ave and NW 14th st.

if you want to volunteer to support arrestees by observing hearings or other legal proceedings contact the legal collective at 646-344-0381

also call the above number if you are interested in being a part of a welcoming committee, as arrestees are released from jail.

Jail locations:
Justice Building-- 1351 NW 12th st
Dade Co. Jail-- 1321 NW 13th st
Earlington Heights-- 2100 NW 41st


< 11-21-2003 11:37 >
Reports from the CTC space on N. Miami say that police frisked what appeared to be a member of the media. Police presence is building again in front of the space.

Informes desde el espacio CTC en Miami indican que la policía registró a una persona que parecía ser de la prensa. La presencia policial vuelve a formarse frente a este espacio.

[Say_What]

6. AI calls on ministers to address continuing human rights crisis

From the FTAAIMC website--couldn't locate it at AI.

<clips>

Amnesty International calls on ministers to address continuing human rights crisis in the Americas as they meet on FTAA

In response to meetings regarding the Free Trade Areas of the Americas (FTAA) taking place in Miami this week, Amnesty International USA held an event today at which they urged ministers attending the meeting to address the crisis-level persecution – including torture, illegal killings and “disappearances” -- of human rights activists throughout the region encompassed by the “Free Trade Area of the Americas”. The event took place at 10 am at the Torch of Friendship in downtown Miami.

“The persecution of human rights defenders in the Americas is reaching emergency proportions, with more killings of human rights defenders documented in the Americas than in any other region in the world,” said Ajamu Baraka, Director of Amnesty International USA’s Southern Regional Office. “Ordinary people – journalists, lawyers, farmers, land activists and indigenous leaders – are being arrested, tortured, ‘disappeared’ and killed. Others are being subjected to harassment and even death threats – sometimes targeting their families.”

Since August 2002, at least 15 human rights defenders and scores of trade unionists have been killed in Colombia, while in Guatemala, one of the 18 human rights defenders killed between 2000 and 2003 had his tongue and ears removed. In Honduras several environmentalists and a human rights lawyer were killed between 2001 and 2003.

In countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Haiti, Bolivia, Canada and the US, excessive and indiscriminate use of force during demonstrations has resulted in scores of killings, injuries, detentions and reports of torture against those exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

http://www.ftaaimc.org/en/2003/11/1507.shtml

[Say_What]

8. ACTION ALERT

Phone numbers and talking points to use to pressure city officials to into releasing arrestees.

The actions of the Miami Police Department this week have violated the fundamental due process and first Amendment rights of thousands of peaceful protesters gathering to voice their opposition to the FTAA summit. Take some time now and CALL the Mayors, the city attorney, police chief Timoney and others responsible for these gross violations. Demand a full-scale, independent investigation into the police officers’ alarming behavior.

The Miami Activist Defense (M.A.D.) committee and National Lawyers Guild Legal Observers have observed numerous illegal practices that Miami City leadership has referred to as a “blueprint for Homeland Security,” including:

* Indiscriminate, excessive force against hundreds of nonviolent protesters with weapons including pepper spray, tear gas, concussion grenades and various types of rubber bullets.
* Police stopping and snatching protesters at random and taking them away in unmarked vehicles.
* Protesters being shot with rubber bullets and trapped by police lines, resulting in major injuries. Medics were not allowed into these areas.
* Violation of agreements made with organizers and M.A.D. prior to protests.

ALEX PENELAS
Mayor, Miami-Dade County
305.829.9336 home
305.375.5071 office

MANUEL A. DIAZ
Mayor, City of Miami
305.250.5300
305.375.5071

JOHN TIMONY
Chief of police
305-673-7925
305-579-6565

ALEJANDRO VILARELLO
City Attorney
305-416-1800

JOHNNY WINTON
Miami City Commissioner
305.858.7344 home
305.250.5333 office

KATY SORENSON
Miami Dade County Commissioner
305.375.5218
305.378.6677

Local media has been grossly biased in their coverage. While this is somewhat to be expected the following are numbers that people could call and voice frustrations.

CBS4: 305-639-4551, 305-639-4601, 305-639-4426
WPLG channel 10: 305-576-6397
WSUN Fox: 954-524-0388 (Rosh Lowe)

http://www.ftaaimc.org/en/2003/11/1510.shtml

[brainshrub]

9. kick (nt)