MIAMI DAYS OF ACTION

To see images that accompany this article please check the link below.
Regards,
Joshua

http://usmlo.org/archive2003/2003-11/vor031121.htm#1


MIAMI DAYS OF ACTION


On November 20, thousands of youth joined by workers and activist
delegations from across the Americas militantly demonstrated against the
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and imperialist globalization
proclaiming: "We are Not for Sale and Our World IS Not for Sale!" In the
face of a massive police security operation, including a huge show of force
and tanks intended to intimidate and justify attacking the youth and others,
throughout the day demonstrators stood their ground and demanded No FTAA!
The day's actions served to show the U.S. imperialists that whatever may be
decided in their meetings, the people of the U.S. and the entire Americas
will not be intimidated and will fight to exercise their right to decide the
future.


Thursday's actions targeting the 8th Ministerial meeting of the FTAA talks
began at 7am, with the youth joined by contingents of workers and other
activists in downtown Miami. A mass rally was organized so all could assist
in educating one another and to re-affirm the clear conscience of the youth
that the FTAA must be shut down! Despite hundreds of riot police carrying
shotguns, tear gas guns, and other instruments of repression who surrounded
the youth on all sides, nothing could split their ranks or shake their
determination to challenge "the fence" which has become the symbol of the
"democratic" nature of the FTAA and its aims. Artists, farmers, students,
workers and other activists condemned the FTAA and its violence against the
rights of the peoples throughout the Americas.

Following the rousing rally, everyone was ready to march right into the
heart of the security forces. More than 1,500 marched directly to the
security fence erected to protect the imperialists and their efforts to
exclude the peoples from decision-making. On numerous occasions police
charged the demonstration as it was blocked from reaching the fence. Because
of the determination of the youth, the space was kept for close to two
hours. Youth shouted slogans in the streets, held drumming circles and other
forms of direct action in order to maintain their space and show police that
they will not be intimidated.

Despite being tear-gassed and having concussion grenades shot into the
crowd, the youth were not provoked and began converging to join the AFL-CIO
march, which was taking place at noon. Thousands of people began to converge
at the main amphitheater where the demonstration was to begin. Streams and
streams of steelworkers, current and retired, shouting "Steelworkers!
Steelworkers!" "FTAA No Way!" came from across North America. Many marched
into the theater in delegations, from Alabama, Tennessee and many other
states and Canada. They were met by cheers from the crowd outside, where
many people were being prevented from entering by a police line. The same
line then marched down the grass to block protesters from using the
bathrooms and then off the gathering area altogether. Many workers did not
like this attempt to divide the youth and the workers. When some of the
steelworkers found out what was taking place they marched back out into the
convergence space to join the demonstrations and show their support,
welcomed by cheers and raised fists among the youth and activists.
Throughout the morning people continued to stream into the convergence space
from all over the United States. By afternoon, organizers of the AFL-CIO
realized what the police were attempting to do and came outside to invite
everyone into the rally.

Police continued to try and provoke confrontations, but it did not work.
Police also blocked off main access roads to the rallying point in an
attempt to prevent people from joining. It is reported by Indymedia that up
to 185 busses were either stopped on the highway or prevented from reaching
the demonstrations by police, including more than 100 buses containing
workers and their families organized by unions across the country.

The main march released a great spirit of unity as contingents from all over
with their banners formed up and began marching through the militarized
downtown core of Miami. American steelworkers put their stamp on the march
alongside the youth. Numerous other workers held their banners high: U.S.
Labor Against the War (USLAW), auto and postal workers, longshoreman,
garment and electrical workers. Many contingents represented workers from
the south as well as the southwest and west coast. Delegations from Canada,
including the Kitchener Waterloo Flying Squad of CAW, Canadian Steelworkers,
CUPE as well as CUPW, were also front and center, many of whom stayed with
the youth the whole day in order to assist them. Delegations from Mexico,
Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela also marched with their colorful
banners with all standing as one to say: No FTAA! Another World is Possible!

Following the demonstration everyone re-converged on the amphitheater, which
was also labeled a "green zone," meaning it was intended to be safe from
police violence. As youth walked up to the police line near the fence, to
continue to show that they would not conciliate with the wall being erected
to keep people out of these decisions affecting all of humanity, police
began their attack. They began shooting rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper
spray. Thousands of people were corralled in the "green zone" and stood
their ground against the onslaught of charging police. As events unfolded
almost everyone was forced out of the safe zone and onto the side streets as
police continuously arrested people, shot rubber bullets and tear gas. Those
corralled, including many workers and journalists, were outraged, and could
see what the police had been preparing for all day.

It is reported that throughout the day 155 arrests were confirmed and many
more are known to have taken place but yet to be confirmed by police.
Demonstrators were arrested as they walked back to the convergence space
well after the police attacks downtown had ended, showing the "we'll show
you" attitude of the police forces. The "Wellness Center," where injured
people are treated located blocks away, was attacked, with people guarding
the door being pepper sprayed.

Everyone stood together and stood firm, standing up for their rights.
Afterwards, at the convergence center, workers and representatives from the
unions joined with the youth in emphasizing their unity and denouncing the
police violence.




_______________________________________________
Rad-Green mailing list
[email protected]
To change your options or unsubscribe go to:
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green