This THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, the Miami City Commission will most likely pass an
ordinance banning the use and possession of a variety of items related to
peaceful protests, demonstrations and protest marches. This includes
puppets and other props; street theater masks; signs on sticks; cameras
(still and video; used to record the actions of overzealous police); padded
clothing (for protection against police truncheons and dogs); bullhorns;
gas masks of any kind, including bandannas (used for protection against
tear-gas and other dangerous chemical agents often used indiscriminately
and recklessly by police), and much more.

The ordinance, which will take effect when passed and expire on Thursday,
Nov. 27, is clearly aimed at stifling the voices of the tens of thousands
of people - students, union members, activists, peasant farmers and many
other types of individuals - from around the Americas and the world who
will be coming to South Florida to protest at the FTAA (Free Trade Area of
the Americas) meeting to be held from Nov. 17-21 in Miami.

This ordinance is an outrageous abridgment of democratic rights and civil
liberties, including the right of free speech, the right to protest and the
right to assemble. The ACLU and protest leaders have pointed out that the
"proposed ordinance ... is so broadly written that it may allow police to
clamp down on constitutionally protected, peaceful protest activities."
(The Miami Daily Business Review, "As Miami plans to prevent disruptions
during trade talks, protest groups warn of First Amendment breaches," Sept.
19, 2003)

The undemocratic nature of this ordinance is in keeping with the
undemocratic nature of the FTAA itself. If the treaty creating it,
eventually is ratified by the 34 nations participating in the Miami
meeting, each country's sovereignty and that of its people will be
seriously compromised. Under the rules that would be imposed by the FTAA,
decision-making power on economic, social and cultural policies, as well as
national development plans will be transferred to transnational
corporations and investors located in North America.

It's important that concerned citizens immediately contact Miami city
officials to voice their opposition to this draconian, unconstitutional
measure. Although the ordinance seems destined for approval, these
officials need to know that the eyes of the world are upon them and that
their action will be protested rather than allowed to happen quietly.
Please take a moment to e-mail them, or if you can afford to, call them.
Tell them you're contacting them to express your opposition to this
ordinance which strips away free speech rights - refer to it the parades
and demonstrations ordinance; if they ask what you mean, tell them it's
item J-O3-772 on the Sept. 25 City Commission agenda, which would add
section 6.1 to Chapter 54 of the City of Miami municipal code. Be succint
and polite, but make sure they understand how you feel.

MIAMI CITY OFFICIALS CONTACT INFORMATION

(below this is an article on this issue and the FTAA, along with a list of
web resources on the FTAA)

Mayor Manuel A. Diaz:
mannydiaz-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305) 250-5300

District 1 Commissioner Angel Gonzalez:
agonzalez-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5430

District 2 Commissioner Johnny L. Winton:
jwinton-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5333

District 3 Commissioner Joe M. Sanchez:
jsanchez-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5380

District 4 Commissioner Tomas P. Regalado:
tr-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5420

District 5 Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr.:
artteele-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5390

City Manager Joe Arriola:
jarriola-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305)250-5400

City Attorney Alejandro Vilarello:
law-AT-ci.miami.fl.us
(305) 416-1800