Bill Moyers NOW: 2-27, Criminalizing Dessent? Miami FTAA protests

[G_j]

Criminalizing Dissent?

NOW looks at the controversy surrounding a free trade protest in Miami

Rubber bullets, pepper spray, tasers, and riot gear are all part of law enforcement's arsenal in dealing with large protests. But in an increasingly security-conscious America, is the government really taking aim at our civil liberties? At a trade conference in Miami last November, hundreds of protesters were detained, searched, and some seriously injured in violent clashes with police. While official Miami hailed the event as a model for "homeland security," others called it a preemptive strike on dissent and an assault on civil liberties. NOW takes a hard look at the protests and their aftermath to examine whether law enforcement was maintaining order or abusing power. As other cities turn to Miami for examples of how to police their major events, the segment asks, were they protecting the public at the expense of our civil liberties?


www.pbs.org/now/


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Edit: related:

The abuses in Miami have prompted strong response from Amnesty International and the ACLU, the Steelworkers and AFLCIO, the Sierra Club, and a broad coalition of labor, antiwar, direct action, global justice, civil liberties and community groups.
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**Personal Voices: Hope and Fear in Miami
David Solnit, AlterNet

A veteran activist finds much to fear, but also bits of hope, after being jailed in Miami.

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17342
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St. Petersburg Times: Miami Crowd Control Would Do Tyrant Proud

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1130-07.htm

Miami police Chief John Timoney must be mighty proud of the social order he maintained during the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit a couple of weeks ago in Miami - sort of the way Saddam Hussein was proud of quieting dissension in his country.
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Information Control:
The 'Miami Model' used during the anti-FTAA protests represents a new police strategy whose aim is to control not just the streets, but also the story told by the media.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17293
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Starhawk's Miami Journals,
www.starhawk.org/activism/activism-writings/miami_journals.html
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link to Miami Herald coverage..
 http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/ftaa /
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photos of 'projectiles'
http://www.hulla-balloo.com/ftaapics/projectiles
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www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/7538538.htm
A judge presiding over the cases of free trade protesters said in court that he saw ''no less than 20 felonies committed by police officers'' during the November demonstrations, adding to a chorus of complaints about police conduct.

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http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1219-08.htm
Reuters
-FTAA Protests: Amnesty Says Miami Police May Have Broken UN Laws

[mac2]

1. They're also against the formation of the Americas Union...

Taking away our democracy. freedoms, borders, and representation for fascism type leadership. World domination with our sons and daughters...mercinaries for corporate interests.

All our benefits and worker rights removed for profit of the few.

I would favor FTAA and globalization if it was a fair trade agreement. If it brought them up to our level of worker rights, etc. It is not the case. We all go to the lowest level for profit above all else..heck with health, enviornment, community, freedom, ability to support a family, etc.

Globalization is just like Empire building by the great powers when we fled from them to form "a more perfect union". The people rule not kings, corporations, religious organizations and leaders, etc.

Democracy is not a new concept but a continuing experiment. It is the best for a peaceful and healthy society.

[TeeYiYi]

2. Stormtroopers at the Republican Convention in New York ? . . .

The Crackdown on Dissent.

"At this year's Republican Convention scheduled for late summer in New York City, protestors have promised that 1 million people will be out on the streets. How is the government preparing to handle massive dissent? Disturbing clues have emerged in what happened at a trade conference in Miami last November where hundreds of protesters were detained, searched, and some seriously injured in violent clashes with police. While official Miami hailed the event as a model for "homeland security," others called it a preemptive strike on dissent and an assault on civil liberties. NOW with Bill Moyers takes a hard look at the protests and their aftermath to examine whether law enforcement was maintaining order or abusing power. As other cities turn to Miami for examples of how to police their major events, the segment asks, were they protecting the public or serving special interests?"

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

TYY

[G_j]

3. not to mention John "Miami Model" Timoney

and "free speech zones" at the Democratic convention.

[veganwitch]

4. you forget live ammunition

several people reported live ammunition being pulled on them.

[TeeYiYi]

5. *lol* <|:-P non sequitur . . .

. . . Nice political sig line veganwitch. Who is that guy anyway? Are you going to put a spell on him? . . .

TYY

[G_j]

6. Kick

[eablair3]

7. Democracy Now

Dem Now has had many shows and programs on this, but I am looking forward to NOW with Bill Moyers, as it is always a real high quality program as well. Here are some of them-

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/21/1521259

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/24/1455248

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/20/1649207

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/26/1538221

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

[G_j]

8. excellent,

thanks, I'll bookmark these. :-)

[EastofEdon]

9. heads up-kick

[G_j]

10. kick

[proud patriot]

11. Woo Boy !

This show is going to piss me off tonight I can tell.

[Wonk]

12. kick

[Wonk]

18. kick

[G_j]

13. We are an exception here

(in NC) the show won't be shown until Sunday. I hope some DUers can share their impressions.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. I'm watching it now-Timoney is an arrogant asshole

time to start calling Mayor Menino-he hired Timoney for the Dem Convention in Boston.

[G_j]

15. he was also at the last Repug convention

in Philly...plenty of abuse there.

[G_j]

16. any reports would be appreciated n/t

[Wonk]

17. I'm speechless. Check this thread later for a QuickTime & mp3 of it.

nt

[G_j]

19. thanks

I received an email that Moyers was requesting any footage that people could supply of the protests. It sounds like they really put an effort into this segment. The rest of the media has practiced a vertual black-out.
I will be taping the show Sunday.

[Wonk]

20. mp3 & quicktime here for those who missed it

or don't feel like waiting until Sunday.

5 M mp3

74 M quicktime

PBS will have RealPlayer versions on their NOW website by Monday or Tuesday for those who prefer that format.

[GregD]

21. Thanks again Wonk

I installed the Lou Dobbs segment on David Dill that you captured earlier this month, and have it in a new section of our site: http://www.verifiedvoting.org/audiovideo/

Thanks again - much appreciated!

GregD

[G_j]

22. thanks!

I hope people check this out! I wish every American could see this.



:kick:

[Wonk]

24. You're welcome. I agree, this needs to be seen. nt

nt

[proud patriot]

25. If this story doesn't upset you

you're not a patriot IMHO

[Thoth]

23. Just add a little moustache to Timoney and he'd look just like...

Hitler. I don't think I'm exaggerating. He was very, very scary. He would have made a good German and a good SS officer.