By Carolyn Salazar, The Miami Herald
Miami commissioners on Thursday approved a law that clamps down on what protesters can bring to a rally, but set an expiration date four days after the end of November’s international trade talks in the city -- infuriating civil libertarians who say the rules unfairly target a specific group of protesters.
Miami Police Chief John Timoney proposed the new legislation as the department braces for thousands of protesters at the Nov. 20-21 meeting of the Western Hemisphere trade ministers in Miami to negotiate the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Law enforcement officials fear the protesters could become as rowdy as they were at the 1999 Seattle riots.
Commissioners agreed there needed to be a law in place that safeguards the city from trade summit protesters -- even if it means tailoring a law around one event.
“This will send a message to those groups who want to come here and create chaos,” said Commissioner Tom?s Regalado. “We did tailor one law specifically for them. So don’t mess with us.”
The law, which bans golf balls, bricks and glass bottles at demonstrations of over three people, was unanimously approved by commissioners, but only on the condition that it expire at midnight Thanksgiving Day.