Rochester Activist's Account from Miami Streets

I am writing from Miami where about 15 of us from Rochester are protesting the FTAA. First off I will tell you that we are all alright, but hat can't be said for most.

When we first got here to Miami Wednesday night, we went immediately to the convergence center. While walking in that area of town police cars passed us yelling at us to "go home" over their loud speaker. Helicopters were overhead of the convergence space with a giant spotlight on us. We've heard reports of people being arrested for jaywalking, walking with more then 7 people (parading without a permit), and loitering. Miami has been turned into a police state.

After the permitted AFL-CIO rally Thursday afternoon protesters moved towards the fence and were brutally attacked by police. The police responseto people nearing the fence caught union people, elderly, and women and children in the crossfire. The battle that the police started lasted 3 hours with protesters being chased 35 blocks while they attempted to disperse.

It can't be stressed enough the immense brutality on the part of the police. We have seen people be tasered, pepper sprayed, tear gassed, shot with rubber bullets, and beaten. As of Friday there are 150 people in jail, many injured, and at least 10 people were hospitalized with serious injuries. I have personally seen bloody faces, and broken legs.

The FTAA talks for Friday have been cancelled and the trade ministers have gone home saying they have completed all that they needed to get done.

However, we are all still in Miami and are planning jail solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are being held captive by an out of control police force.

Raging In Miami,

ps
I apologize for the briefness of this email but I didn't have much time to write.