We haven't covered this until now, but these reports of abuses by Miami police at the recent anti-free trade talk rallies are very disturbing and warrant wider dissemination and discussion. Have at it.

Miami police reneged on their promise to give safe passage to 25 busloads of seniors who attempted to attend Thursday's AFL-CIO rally against the Free
trade Area of the Americas, the leader of a retired union workers group charged Tuesday.

More:

Civil rights groups complained Tuesday that police at last week's trade talks abused protesters - some senior citizens - by arresting them without cause and denying them restrooms, water and phones.

Meanwhile, the national steelworkers union called for a congressional investigation and the removal of Miami police Chief John Timoney over the treatment of its members during the protests, and several groups said they will ssue the city.

And this:

Small, peaceful demonstrations were attacked with extreme force; organisations were infiltrated by undercover officers who used stun guns; buses of union members were prevented from joining permitted marches; people were beaten with batons; activists had guns pointed at their heads at checkpoints.

Police violence outside trade summits is not new; what was striking about Miami was how divorced the security response was from anything resembling an
actual threat. From an activist perspective, the protests were small and obedient, an understandable response to weeks of police intimidation.

Amnesty International is also calling for an investigation .