I'm not trying to scare anybody from the protest - but we must be prepared

[RagingInMiami]

In case DC police decide to incorporate the "Miami Model" against us. This model, deemed highly successful in the law enforcement world, was used in Boston and New York during the Democratic and Republican conventions in 2004.

It all started in November 2003, when thousands of demonstrators descended upon Miami to protest against the Free Trade Area of the Americas meetings. The cops down here, never known for their diplomacy skills, turned into the Gestapo.

* They fired rubber bullets into the crowd -- including shooting one guy multiple times for holding up his hand in a peace sign -- and several people in the back.

* They arrested hordes of people for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, including "neutral parties" like lawyers, observers and journalists.

* They used tear gas, pepper spray and taser guns without provocation.

* And they had undercover cops dressed as protesters to incite other protesters.


And they did all this under the guise of "Homeland Security". The incident resulted in several lawsuits against Miami police, but the "Miami Model" is now being incorporated in other cities as a way to control demonstrators, according to the articles I linked below.

I know DC cops have a lot more experience in dealing with this, but there will also be World Bank and International Monetary meetings that weekend, so I'm expecting them to be a little more aggressive than they normally would. The last thing these cops want is another Seattle.


Link to several photos on the Miami Model in action.

http://ocinsight.com/Articles/police_used_violence_against_pea.htm

Some articles on what went down.

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

http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=488

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/11/20/miami.protests/

A group of independent filmmakers made a movie called "The Miami Model" which includes footage of the abuse.

http://www.ftaaimc.org/miamimodel



Photos

[marmar]

1. Some think they can attack us there...

I say "Bring 'em on."

:sarcasm: :hide:

[willing dwarf]

2. A sort of surrender

Any time you go to a protest you are risking the unexpected, throwing your lot in with the rest of humanity, surrendering some of your individual safety for the hope of a better outcome for all.

That's one of the reasons you go.

Few of us want to. I for one can think of half a dozen things I'd rather be doing on Saturday.

[evlbstrd]

4. I'm going.

I'm going for all of us.

[willing dwarf]

7. I'll see you there!

[evlbstrd]

16. Excellent!

I hope to meet many DUers there. I'm heading straight for their booth when I get to the rally.
And welcome to DU!

[buff2]

9. Then in other words you are satisfied with the mess we're in?

You would rather be home mowing the lawn than protest against the idiot in thief? Geesus...:eyes:

[willing dwarf]

15. Nope quite the opposite

I didn't mean that at all. I'm going. I ijust mean that the times demand that we put ourselves out of our comfort zone if we want to see change happen. It's not going to happen by just going along in the usual way ( mowing the lawn). And even if you can't see how being there will make a different it's an active statement of where you stand, which will bring your whole being in better alignment with where you stand.

[evlbstrd]

3. DC has new laws governing protests.

They are designed to prevent exactly that.

[marmar]

5. I feel a little more comfortable with the DCPD ...

than the NYPD and all their Guiliani-era tactics.

[NYC]

24. Giuliana era is now Bloomberg era.

No change.

[lthuedk]

6. Here it comes

Stephen

[Mist]

8. I don't want to piss on anyone's parade, but I'm VERY concerned

about the march in DC. All attending, PLEASE take great care. Remember, this isn't America anymore.

[firefox]

10. What I wonder

How do the people of DC stand on the protest. What if the local citizens show up in force. It is their country too. It seems like there would be an effort to get the locals to show up.

It looks like it will be a beautiful day with a high of about 79 degrees.

[RagingInMiami]

14. And we know it's a very blue city

[tazkcmo]

11. Don't forget your bubble wrap!

I can't go but I can't think of ANYTHING else I'd rather be doing, except for sex. Let's be real here.

But come on. It wouldn't be the first time a protester got bonked on the head or gassed. Is it not worth it? Geez, some of you sound like you've been raised in a Habi-Trail, devoid of all outside contact.

My brother evlbstrd will be there representin' the cause for those of us that have to work or take care of kids or just too broke to go. For our part, we been beatin' him with a 2x2 and sprayin' him with mase every day, just ta get him into shape.

So go be heard. Don't be scared. And we'll have another rally to bail ya'll out.

[RagingInMiami]

13. I'm not saying it's not worth it

But why shouldn't one go into battle prepared?

[wtmusic]

12. video cameras

if you got one, bring it.

Good luck everyone. Can't make it but I will be protesting here in LA.

[DLnyc]

19. Yes, cameras are a GREAT idea.

Serves as insurance plus helps compensate for CM's tendency to not count very well.

[DLnyc]

17. I've been to more protests in DC than I can count in the last 5 years.

They've all been really peaceful. DC police know this stuff really well. The last thing they want is trouble. For one thing, it gives a lot of publicity to something the powers that be are feverishly trying to ignore (or pretend to ignore). For another thing, most cops would rather just take home a day's pay (with overtime) without a lot of ugliness.

The only trouble I saw (and it was minor) was one march which was quite small (10 or 20 thousand). Seems like in a small march some hard-core kids feel a need to start trouble . . . a way to deal with their sense of powerlessness, I think. In the really large marches there's way too many peaceniks for the macho types to feel self-important. Or at least that's my experience.

Don't think DC cops want trouble. Good to watch out for provocateurs, though. IMHO.

Best scenario: millions of people who believe in peace and truth. You'd be amazed how contagious it can be. IMHO.

[fooj]

18. The second and last pictures are creepy. WTF is their problem?

Peace.

[LynneSin]

20. Good and Bad stuff about this upcoming weekend

First, this is like my 10th protest in Washington DC and I have to say that the DC police is probably one of the best equiped to handle protests. They usually stand back and let us be UNLESS some asshole starts going after them (which unfortunately will probably happen). Even then they will contain the area.

But the bad stuff is this - the IMF (International Monetarary Fund) group is having their global meeting the same exact weekend and that usually brings the hardcore protesters out of the woodwork.

Having survived the Feb2003 NYC protest (the one where Bloomberg wouldn't give us a permit and we ended up shutting midtown manhatten), I have learned this much - if I see a large gathering of angry radical looking people I go the opposite direction.

We should be fine. DC knows how to handle large protests in a safe manner!

[leftchick]

22. I am concerned about them as well...

are they permitted for the mall too of just a march? I always steer clear of them as well. They started a fire at the last protest I was at. It was scary. :(

[Ian David]

21. Operation Iraqi Hope to counter-protest against Cindy in Washington

Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005
From: Operation Iraqi Hope [e-mail]
Subject: Support our troops this Sunday in Washington

Friends, your help is needed!

This weekend several groups are organizing a large rally in support of our troops fighting to protect our freedoms around the world.

We need you to reach out to your friends, family, and supporters and ask them to attend the rally on Sunday September 25th from Noon to 3pm on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. We want to show our troops that America stands behind them and their mission.

Whether you have a family member or friend serving in the military or don't personally know anyone serving, there is nothing more important than showing our troops how much we support what they are doing for Americans and citizens of other nations.

If you have any questions, please visit the website www.supportthetroopsweekend.org or contact Karen at [e-mail] . She can assist you with any logistical support or answer any questions you may have.

Please do all that you can to support this rally and our troops. Thank you in advance.

Sunday, September 25
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Rally to honor military families on the Mall

4th Street, NW
Washington, DC
(near the Air and Space Museum)

If you have a group of 10 or more and need transportation to the event, please call Karen at [e-mail] .


__________________________

Sponsored by Operation Iraqi Hope, Move America Forward, Rightmarch.com, FreeRepublic.com, and Military Families Voice of Victory

[RagingInMiami]

23. Funny how I have a lot of friends in the military

some who are even in iraq. And they all oppose the war.

[NYC]

25. Do not wear absorbent clothing.

If you expect to be sprayed with a chemical, wool and loosely woven fabrics absorb and retain the chemical. Something slick like nylon is better, though the weather is not suitable for nylon.

A scarf soaked in water and white vinegar sealed in a ziplock bag is a good idea.