Timoney

For almost 2 years, the Miami Police Department has desperately been trying to ensure that the 2003 FTAA police operations plan remains a secret, even from the city's own Civilian Investigative Panel which is charged with investigating the large scale police brutality that took place on November 20-21, 2003. MPD has finally revealed it's reasoning for the secrecy: releasing the plan could "jeopardize future operations nationwide" because "authorities THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY have adopted the plan". This is a stunning, yet frightening admission, as it confirms the deep suspicions of political activists who have personally witnessed the same repressive tactics travel from city to city, protest to protest. This also lends further support to the ominous statements made earlier by Miami Police Chief John Timoney, that the FTAA was "the first big event for Homeland Security...the first real realistic run-through to see how it would work."

Miami Activist Defense (MAD) and National Lawyers Guild (NLG) attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court today accusing the City of Miami, Mayors Diaz and Penelas, Police Chief Timoney, Homeland Defense Secretary Ridge, US Attorney General Ashcroft and others of violating people's Constitutional Rights during last November's FTAA protests and implementing a plan to unlawfully arrest hundreds of people.

Members of the AFL-CIO union tell a citizens' panel that Miami police broke promises and used force during the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting last November.

Miami police spend 3 ˝ hours defending themselves against allegations of abuse at the November trade summit, saying the event was an overall success despite some minor problems.

The Public Demands Answers about Police Handling of FTAA Protests --
Miami Police and Chief Timoney on the Hot Seat

Miami - On Thursday, February 5, 2004 the Save Our Civil Liberties Campaign in conjunction with the AFL-CIO, Lake Worth Global Justice, Miami Workers Center and other community groups and individuals, will protest the joint public hearing of the Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) and the Independent Review Panel (IRP). A colorful and lively demonstration with signs and puppets will take place outside City Hall to protest testimony being given by Police Chief John Timoney. People are also expected to be inside monitoring the hearing.

The policing of the FTAA event was an overall success. The mutually agreed upon plan was implemented with little variation. The FTAA Ministers exercised their right to meet without disruption in the facilities they properly reserved and paid for. Tens of thousands of protestors were given the opportunity to energetically express their viewpoints in a meaningful manner. The people and businesses of Miami faced a minimum of inconvenience with resiliency and good humor. Those who came to commit violence faced an intelligent, measured police plan determined to minimize the effect of their criminal tactics.

A civil suit filed today in federal court calls for an emergency temporary restraining order against the City of Miami's unconstitutional restrictions on the right to political protest

Lots happening in Miami over the police riot
conducted during the FTAA demonstrations.
Here's everything I could find.

Laurel Ripple claims she was brutalized and stripped by male officers during anti-free trade protests in Miami. She and others are eyeing lawsuits, but the legal hurdles are formidable.

Public Hearing on Police Repression of FTAA Protestors
Tuesday, Dec. 16
7–9 p.m.
United Teachers of Dade Local 1974
2200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami