For Immediate Release: November 21st, 2003
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Supporters and Anti-FTAA Activists Stand in Solidarity With Those Jailed, Assaulted and Indiscriminately Charged
Legal support groups call for an independent investigation into "alarming" police behavior
Miami, FL - Supporters gathered today at facilities where anti-FTAA
protestors are being held after mass arrests and excessive police
reaction to Thursday's protests. People were assembled at the Turner
Guilford Knight (TGK) facility at 7000 NW 45th Street, and the
Miami-Dade County Jail at 1321 NW 13th Street, in order to express their
solidarity with those arrested. At the County Jail, where approximately
200 people gathered today for a vigil and press conference, heavy
police presence was used to break up the assembly, resulting in dozens
of more arrests.
"The group was attempting to comply with the police order to disperse,"
explained Brenna Bell, an attorney working with Miami Activist Defense
(MAD). "But when people began moving in the direction we were told to,
the police cut us off and began arresting us anyway." At around 5pm
today, Bell was arrested along with approximately forty peaceful
supporters. The arrests occurred sometime after a press conference was
held to convey the activist response to mass arrests and police
misconduct.
Thursday's protests were met with a massive display of force with
excessive and unprovoked police violence. In a continued pattern and
practice of civil rights violations, Miami police aggressively attempted
to silence the dissent of hundreds of anti-FTAA protestors rallying
against the undemocratic Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
meetings. Despite being shut out of the negotiations by 20 foot-high
fencing, lines of riot police and the unnecessary use of significant
weaponry by a highly militarized police force, the activists celebrated
victory in a major setback to Washington's "free trade" agenda.
"The excessive force used by police during morning demonstrations set
the tone for the rest of the day," said Danielle Redden, a legal worker
with MAD, a legal support group for anti-FTAA activists. "The
indiscriminate use of weapons, a panoply of batons, tear gas, pepper
spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades, tasers and electric shields,
was an extreme overreaction and unwarranted attack on people's first
amendment rights to free speech and assembly."
"Police chief Timoney claimed officers acted with restraint," said Marc
Steier, an attorney with MAD. "This assessment goes against the
eye-witness reports of hundreds of people on the streets," continued
Hermes. "Mayor Diaz even had the gall to say that Miami was a 'model for
homeland security.' He should know that his so-called 'security,'
accomplished through assault and denial of rights for hundreds of people
will be met with appropriate legal action. We'll see how his 'model'
holds up in court."
As of Thursday, the total arrest count for those involved in the FTAA
protests appears to be at approximately 150 people. Most of these
arrests were made yesterday after 4pm; after protest activity had
concluded for the day. Many of the later arrests were violent and
occurred as a consequence of police chasing after people who sought to
peacefully leave the downtown area.
Later Thursday, after protest activity had subsided, police continued to
violate people's civil rights by randomly arresting numerous small
groups of people making their way away from the "police-inspired"
violence. MAD received dozens of reported incidents and written
declarations yesterday evening regarding violent arrests. This included
many instances of people being assaulted before being placed under
arrest for unknown reasons, as well as numerous people being stopped and
"snatched" at random by undercover police and taken away in unmarked
vehicles.
Along with arrests still being reported, similarly inappropriate police
activity occurred throughout the day Friday. MAD received multiple
reports of people being held at gunpoint without explanation or cause.
MAD and the National Lawyers Guild are calling for an independent
investigation into the "alarming" police behavior. MAD is closely
following the processing of detained protestors. Bond hearings took
place throughout the day Friday. Over half of those arrested appear to
be released on bond or under their own recognizance. Bail levels are
being set as high as $20,000 for low-level charges. A civil suit on
behalf of victims of police misconduct and brutality is actively being
considered.
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