Investigate this

Investigate This

By John S. Pappas – 12/03/03

Last Wednesday Amnesty International (AI) published a press release calling for an investigation into the Miami Police surrounding the recent protests in Miami Florida against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). AI asserts that excessive force was exercised by the police in containing the protests, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. One wonders if AI has ever asked for an investigation into protest organizers who have caused millions of dollars worth of damage and injury to people in places like Seattle, Prague, Genoa, and Washington D.C.

In these cities, anti-capitalist protesters have disrupted lives, injured police and civilians, and caused millions of dollars in property damage. One would like to ask Amnesty International to call for an investigation of the hardships good people have suffered due to these protesters. Sadly, Amnesty International seems only to focus on the United States, U.S. allies, and law enforcement as those in need of investigating.

Under the guise of free speech, and with the support of AI and Americans Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), groups such as Anti-Capitalist Convergence, International A.N.S.W.E.R., World Workers Party, International Action Committee (IAC), and others, have planned and exercised violence against police and individuals.

It was encouraging to learn of the F.B.I. memo that surfaced two weeks ago calling for local law enforcement agencies to look into the behavior of these groups and report any suspicious activity to a special federal task-force. Within days however, the F.B.I. publicly denied conducting any investigations of these groups. This is unfortunate.

Certain politicians seeking broader support have affiliated themselves with some of these groups. This too is unfortunate, for it lends credence to the groups and their causes.

The anti-U.S./Anti-Capitalist groups intentionally create problems at the rallies they organize. They train their members in tactics for fighting police, and destroying property.

In Miami earlier this month, protesters appeared in masks and flak-jackets. It is no coincidence that many of the protesters had stones and other objects at the ready to throw at police when scuffles broke out, while other protesters used pallets and barricades to erect a defensive barrier around them. Police were injured in the first day of protesting trying to contain the protests. Officers were hit with rocks and bottles, and some had unknown liquids thrown on them. By the second day, a more aggressive approach was employed by the police, utilizing teargas, rubber bullets, and arrests.

But there was no brutality by the police as AI asserts, only a measured and appropriate response. Injuries and destruction were avoided by the determined, professional, response of the Miami Police Department.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. It does not guarantee the right to assemble with the purpose of injuring people, and breaking things. This is exactly what the anti-capitalist protesters do. Thus, their behavior is not protected as “free speech” under the U.S. Constitution.

Based on the tactics employed by the protesters, and the injuries and property damage that result, Amnesty International should not seek an investigation of excessive force by the Miami Police in their response. Instead, they should applaud their restraint in the face of violence and mayhem.