10:40 AM THURSDAY
Arrive at the protest. The riot cop presence is indescribable. They line every street, the come in large groups on bikes, in cars, and on horses. We later learn of undercover cops and many can be seen all over the street, as well as dressed as black-blockers in an attempt to infiltrate the protests.
Meanwhile, protestors sing, dance, chant, pass out fruit, and share stickers or fliers with information about the FTAA or other interesting causes and issues. There is thus far a good sense of community among the people, and when the Steel Workers Union marches we are all happy with their presence and hopefully that the media would report that important aspect of the rally.
11:50 AM THURSDAY
By now we are closed in on a ramp by the riot police. The AFL-CIO folks are trying to move us all in to hear the speakers, but the cops continue to practice intimidation tactics and take measures to immobilize us from listening to the speakers. Our bags are checked twice before we can enter the area. Our friends are denied access for carrying gas masks to protect themselves.
The riot cops hold guns with paint balls and rubber bullets. They are padded, shielded and equipt with tear gas. The crowd remains frustrated but NON-VIOLENT.
Between 1:50-and 4ish our group is reunited with the S.O.L.E. and U.S.A.S. contingency, and I run into a friend of mine from Indiana - surprising and awesome. Ryan looks around and says that perhaps this will be a protest where tear gas isn't used for a change.
The march was awesome and very positive. The entire stretch was lined with riot cops and media.
4:20 PM THURSDAY
To our horror, the protestors outside are being tear-gassed. The violence and panic truly begins. Fires begin to be made by a small group of angry activists. Our affinity groups all decide that we need to get further away from what is happening.
Half of our group leaves for the hotel, horrified by what is going on. I choose to stay with a group of others.
Then I see man running with his face covered in blood. Everyone tries to get the fuck out.
We begin heading down the only street that isn't line with riot cops, and head to the monorail station. They continually shut on and off public transportation during our visit - and while we were unable to leave, they beat people up on the streets and searched and arrested them for no reason. But this time things looked clear.
So two of our kids start walking down there and suddenly yell « OH SHIT!!! » we walk away very quickly unsure of what has happened a few minutes later, the entire street we have just walked passed is blocked with riot cops. There is now no way for the protestors who are left to leave.
Then video-game shit begins. Like nothing I have ever experienced.
Suddenly I begin coughing and have a hard time breathing. We put our bandanas on. The tear gas was spreading in our direction.
Getting from the protest back to the hotel was truly an incredible and frightening experience.
5 PM THURSDAY
A van of activists see us on a dangerous street and offer us a ride to the Convergence center. When we get over there, a man is speaking and calmy says « If you are at risk for arrest, you must leave within the next thirty minutes ».
It is still unclear to me if the cops ended up raiding it, but we do know that the cops RAIDED AND TEAR GASSED the wellness center were medics were treating injured folks.
We head out after grabbing a few fliers. While walking down the street dodging cop cars and lines of RP (I'm sick of typing RIOT POLICE) left and right, a group of activists run up to us and say they just saw an undercover cop pull up next to a protestor and beat the shit out of him. They tell us to run and to stay in groups of less than 8.
(Everyone was forced to stay in small groups the entire trip because Miami passed laws that would allow them to arrest us simple for walking around with 8 people under certain circumstances)
There are 7 helicopters above our heads.
6:30 PM
Got word that Dave from USAS had been arrested.
The rest of the night is too much to type...
Around 12PM Friday we go to check out the Really Really Free Trade Market. There was confusion over the permit area but we eventually head to where we were legally allowed to be. It's simply a gather of people sharing things like food, art, and dancing together. The RP come in insane amounts that at first are at least double the amount of kids hanging out. The surround us in a fenced area for no reason.
Once again 6 helicopters over our head drown our sound to prevent our communication/safety.
The subway has been closed again.
8 people carrying art the gathering are pushed against a wall and harassed by RC.
2:40 PM FRIDAY
As we head to jail solidarity, parades of RC follow and head out to intimidate the peaceful solidarity vigil in front of the jail, where we had negotiated so that our presence was LEGAL UNTIL 5 PM.
The cops yell things at us like « Cmon, DO SOMETHING! » and make attempts to provoke us. A friend of mine is sexually harassed by a cop. We are also being videotaped by cops in cars as we walk to the jail.
3:20PM FRIDAY
There is a great turnout and vibe here. Everyone has consented to making this a non-violent and productive demonstration.
Bryan calls, after seeing shit on TV, and while talking to him I look to my left. 3 lines of right cops completely block the Cedars Medical Center. As we chant and cheer to let those jailed to be released, more and more RC arrive and fill up another street as well.
« we're not armed, why are you? »
4:25 PM on FRIDAY
I go as a rep for my affinity group to the spokes council meeting to decide what we want to ask of the cops and what we hope to accomplish exactly. As I said, every person representing the affinity groups agreed that they wanted to remain a non-violent and non-arrestable demonstration.
As we began to create our list of request (such as the release of those who were arrested and posted bail, and then were held as soon as activists arrived in front of the jail)
A man ran up to us and said that although we were told we had until 5 before the rally would become illegal, the RC were not giving us THREE MINUTES to disburse.
By 5 we had returned to the hotel, and watched the media lie about us being violent and unlawful. They also lied about the amount of warning we recirved before the cops began arresting and hurting people who were there.
The overwhelming sound of helicopters added to the mood and fear. We sat in the hotel restaurant and watched the TV until we recognized the area as being right behind out hotel.
Tom Hayden from the Students for a Democratic Society (if youve seen Weather Underground documentary) was at the table next to us watching and talking to some hardvord students, and Pete got a chance to talk with him.
We watched outside in horror. Moved to tears and filled with anger at what was going on.
---
Friends of ours were arrested this weekend, and others were hit with rubber bullets or gassed.
Later in the hour, the RC can be seen in front of our hotels posing for the cameras as heros. We have seen them corner innocent people on the street, attacking, arresting and beating them.
When our friends walked to the subway to head to the airport, they suddenly were completely surrounded by riot cops, who bothered them and eventually UNLAFULLY SEARCHED THEM WITHOUT CONSENT.
I can't begin to communicate some of the things I felt and saw, but this is the best account I can give for now - and it is at least enough for me to remember. Even if I cant articulate it.
I'm not sure what to do with myself at the moment.
Oh yeah, and I lost my fuckin wallet.
At least I made it back in time to meet my dad for dinner after the game, without him ever knowing I was in Miami...