[finnman69]

The Police are not playing with these punks.

[finnman69]

Police officers wearing gas masks use a high lift protected by riot shields for a high vantage point as during demonstrations against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Miami November 20, 2003. Demonstrators were confronted by riot police as they approached the hotel where FTAA ministers were meeting.






Miami Police officers are shown after they were hit with an unknown liquid as they attempted to disperse a crowd during demonstrations against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Miami November 20, 2003. Demonstrators gathered on Biscayne Boulevard to protest against the FTAA.

Miami Police disperse a crowd, using pepper gas during demonstrations against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Miami November 20, 2003. Demonstrators gathered on Biscayne Boulevard to protest against the FTAA.

An unidentified riot equipped police officer rides on top of an armored personal carrier as he carries a tear gas gun, moving toward the protest site outside the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference area in downtown Miami, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003

Demonstrators confront a vehicle carying Miami Mayor Manny Diaz as they demonstrate at the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 in Miami. Police said they clashed with an estimated 300 to 400 protesters.

Florida Highway Patrol officers wearing gas masks ride towards a crowd gathered at security fences near where ministers of the Free Trade Area of the Americas are meeting in Miami November 20, 2003. Law enforcement agencies expect thousands of demonstrators to protest against the FTAA.

Police in riot gear move forward as they attempt to move demonstrators at the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, in Miami. Police said they clashed with an estimated 300 to 400 protesters.
Demonstrators attempt to pull down a fence while trying to disrupt the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 in Miami.




Demonstrators dressed in black take down orange fencing put up by police as they attempt to disrupt the Free Trade Area of the Americas conference Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 in Miami.



Protester Jan Orillac (R) lies on the street after he was arrested by City of Miami police officers and a Florida Highway patrolman as demonstrations took place against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Miami November 19, 2003. Law enforcement agencies expect thousands of demonstrators to protest against the FTAA.

Miami Police Public Information Officer Lt. Bill Schwartz shows tire tubes found after seven 'suspected anarchists' were arrested on burglary charges in a vacant mansion formerly owned by the Burdines family, in Miami November 19, 2003. Schwartz demonstrated how the inner tubes could be used as slingshots. Law enforcement agencies expect thousands of demonstrators to protest against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Anti-FTAA protesters demonstrated earlier in the day against the Burdines department store chain.

Miami Police Public Information Officer Lt. Bill Schwartz shows items found after seven 'suspected anarchists' were arrested on burglary charges in a vacant mansion formerly owned by the Burdines family in Miami, November 19, 2003. Law enforcement agencies expect thousands of demonstrators to protest against meetings of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Anti-FTAA protesters demonstrated earlier in the day against the Burdines department store chain.

[Trampled by Lambs]

Can anyone explain to me exactly what it is that they are protesting? Free Trade? Globalization? Aren't these the same people who have bumper stickers that say things like "Think Globally, Act Locally" (or something like that..).

Maybe I'm dense but though I've read a fair amount on this subject, I still don't get what it is they're so updet about.. seriously.

[freeeee]

"The Emporer is displeased with your insolence..."

[Theo]

Great. Dressing up like jihadists. Wonderful.

[Jim Cane]

The Police are not playing with these punks.

The police ARE punks.

[freeeee]

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances...unless there's a trade summit in town, in that case we're going to send a battalion of riot police to kick your ass.

[green iguana]

I love this line: "Protester Joshua Xander, 21, of Cincinnati, said the police are "totally doing what they feel necessary. We are doing what we think is necessary — conflict of interests." He was tapping on an African drum."

Don't see a conflict of interest there though - I know lots of cops who like drums...

[Dan from Michigan]

I hate NAFTA and GATT, but these punks and assclowns are worse and give those that oppose them a bad name.

It's like the 'stereotypical gunowner'.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Great post!

[george wythe]

Officers were using their batons mostly to push back the roughly 1,000 militant protesters,

Most protestors have been peaceful and well-behaved.

The exception is the self-identified anarchist group. The 'anarchists' have no clue what they are protesting, but they have home-made weapons and love to provoke and attack the cops.

Downtown Miami has been shut down since last Saturday; there are many more cops than demonstrators in the streets near the convention hotels.

There will be no Seatle-type riots in Miami. The typical Miami macho cops have shown incredible restraint and professionalism.

Kudos to Miami Chief of Police.

[vladog]

These are the usual suspects who show up for all manner of useless protests. Some of them are hired (paid) by these lunatic fringe groups. Others just have way to much time on their hands or have been brain washed by their Leftist professors.

[finnman69]

[RightWingAtheist]

Still, many other protesters kept the peace, carrying puppets, holding signs and chanting, "This is what a police state looks like."

You want to really know what a police state looks like, you punks? Hop on an inner tube, and let yourself drift away to Cuba-which, not by coincidence, is the one country you want us to trade with.

[BobS]

Why, oh why doesn't somebody drop a mortar round in the middle of one of these crowds? Just one will do.

[takenoprisoner]

punks? scumbags? Or Americans?