:: rawblogXport ::

:: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 ::

Ft. Benning, GA, 23 November By Anne Feeney
I saw some protesters engage in the sort of mischief that in the 50's or 60's would have precipitated an outraged 'I'll make sure your parents hear about this!' from a cop or a neighbor. In 2003 the response is chemical weapons.

A fairly highly placed AFL-CIO official told me that the march route was unilaterally changed by the Miami police on the day of the march in complete contravention of the negotiated route. Compliant union members simply capitulated and marched the police-dictated route... out of the sight of the public. An AFL-CIO marshal confiscates my coffee cup 'for my protection.'

Fort Benning was even sadder.

Miami reporter unclear why she was arrested at FTAA protest AP
Delgado was charged with two misdemeanors, failure to obey a legal command and resisting arrest without violence. The charges were dropped Friday and she was released.

Protesters and officials from the AFL-CIO, which organized a Thursday march against the FTAA, have accused the police of overreacting, saying officers attacked and arrested peaceful protesters along with those who were violent.

FTAA protesters believe deeply in their causes By ''What the FTAA will do is it won't help people in other countries. It will misuse and abuse them and take jobs away from us here,'' said Joy Randolph, a West Virginia steelworker. ''The workers in other countries are not our enemies. We need to bring their standards up instead of lowering ours.''

posted 6:19 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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