Panels will look into allegations of abuse by police during FTAA protests

Panels will look into allegations of abuse by police during FTAA protests in Miami

By Diana Marrero
Miami Bureau
Posted December 27 2003

Miami -- Noel Cleland has lived in Miami-Dade County for 48 of his 51 years. He is well educated -- a biomedical engineer -- and engaged in the community as an active member of Coral Gables Congregational Church.

Until recently, the county's two civilian oversight panels -- known as the CIP and IRP -- were mere alphabet soup to him.

Then came last month's free trade talks in Miami, which attracted thousands of protesters and sparked an outcry among activists who say police mistreated peaceful demonstrators. Cleland, who attended the protests with his daughter on Nov. 20, says he witnessed police misconduct, which prompted him to learn about the panels and file complaints with them.

But Cleland is the exception among the protesters. Most are unaware of or distrust the boards, which plan to hold a joint public hearing Jan. 15 to address allegations of abuse by police during the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting.
(snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-dftaaxxdec27,0,6164330.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

The IRP doesn't have subpoena powers and neither of the panels has enforcement ability or the power to make their recommendations binding. So I don't quite get the point of it.

This part of the article made me think of the Ashcroft nomination hearings-

>snip<
At least one member, Peter Roulhac, came under fire for praising Miami Police Chief John Timoney at a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon for the way he handled the anti-globalization protests.

At a recent meeting, panel members said Peter Roulhac, who is also president of the business organization, should remain on the panel.

Roulhac said at the meeting that he didn't intend to create controversy when he made the comments and thinks he can still be impartial and a do fair job as a panel member.
>snip<

That said, I commend Mr. Cleland for finding a way to speak out and wish him and his daughter good luck.

on edit: add this link to an article on Mr. Roulhac's praising Timoney's handling of the protests. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/jim_defede/7432514.htm

Independent Media Center: (has much info, protestors' accounts, news, photos)

http://www.ftaaimc.org/or/index.shtml



Democracy Now: (has a report and short video)

http://www.democracynow.org/static/miamimodel.shtml

heartwrenching, no movement, no freedom, a very scary experience. I came home and starting perusing rifle catalogues.....