Miami Police state

UAW members and others face formidable security at FTAA protest

Nancy Brigham, UAW Local 1981

<snip>Captain was standing in the hot sun, along with thousands of other union members, trying to get into a peaceful AFL-CIO-sponsored rally in Miami’s Bayside Park Nov. 21. The assembler at Eaton Clutch had driven from Auburn, Ind., to protest at a meeting of trade ministers for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) talks. But the crowd was blocked from attending the rally by dense lines of riot-equipped police, as helicopters buzzed above and police on all sides pointed rifles at them.

Phil Anastasi, vice president of UAW Local 72 in Kenosha, Wisc., was angry. “Every U.S. veteran has fought for democracy,” he pointed out. “And here in Miami this is not democracy. This is a police state.” snip

After a couple of hours, the crowd began the planned march through Miami streets, although authorities shortened the parade route at the last minute. Some 20,000 people bravely passed rows of police in full riot gear, with armored personnel carriers behind them. Those who looked up saw police on the rooftops and overpasses, aiming rifles at them. snip

The Miami Herald reported that although the protests were overwhelmingly peaceful, more than 100 people were arrested and 16 protesters were hospitalized. UAW CAP Representative Gary Shepherd from Region 1D felt the brunt of police violence. He was knocked to the ground and held at gunpoint as he tried to help members of the Alliance of Retired Americans gain access to the rally. (See related story.)

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