Miami Model - Features

Features

The Miami model carries the distinctive features of crowd control techniques used in Miami, which included large scale pre-emptive arrests, heavily armed sometimes unidentifiable law enforcement, the collection of intelligence from protesters, and the "embedding" of corporate media with the police. Additionally, areas that are to be the site of a major event are given large federal grants to purchase materials for security. Thus, police may be unfamiliar with the use of the new equipment they have been given and rural police brought in to the city may be somewhat unfamiliar with crowd control tactics in general. Protestors and activists allege some of the following as further tactics belonging to the Miami model:

• Establishment of joint, unified, multi-agency command/control network.
• Mass purchase of surveillance equipment, riot gear and other supplies.
• Training of local law enforcement in "crowd control tactics" and less lethal weapons.
• Public relations, "information warfare", newspeak/spin:
  • "terrorists/violent protesters coming" vs "well trained officers".
  • "event meaningful target for terrorism."
  • "police will protect the right to protest."
  • "anarchists and criminal elements", dramatic Seattle WTO or London imagery.
  • display of confiscated "weapons" prove malintent.
  • "unpermitted protests can continue" due to police good will.
  • independent media targeted, cameras, video confiscated.
• Pro-event/anti-demonstrator promotional tools developed/used in community.
• Reluctant officials, civic groups pressured to comply with plan by Secret Service/DHS.
• Locations strategically valuable to protesters reserved by law enforcement.
• Plans to secure public buildings and strategic private businesses complete.
• Anti-protest ordinances and other legal hurdles to prevent lawful assembly begin.
• State of Emergency declared or Executive Order signed to allow military policing.
• Surveillance and disruption of protest organizers begins.
• Attempts to divide protest groups and organizers begins in media and meetings.
• Court system tied up: regular business delayed during protest; assist mass arrests.
• Mass detention facilities identified and prepped for use.
• Civic groups and clubs employed to support law enforcement activities.
• March and event permits denied or delayed; delay tactics.
• Police/military collaborate with media, i.e. embedded reporters, etc.
• Street level surveillance increases on organizers and demonstrators.
• Public training drills and mass show of force.
• Sporadic harassment, detention and arrest of demonstrators traveling in area.
• Disruption of organizing/assembly/housing/media spaces. Possible preemptive arrest.
• Command Center operational; large undercover teams begin reporting
• Militarized "hard zone" and limited access "soft zone" created with fences, barricades.
• Area wide surveillance video, including 3-D video systems operational.
• Field forces (riot police, bike police, checkpoints, etc.) put into place.
• Day of protest: assembly blocked, obstructed, redirected.
• Use of less-lethal weapons - projectiles, chemical weapons, electric weapons, sound devices etc.
• Streets cleared using force; protesters pursued; more mass arrest.
• Jail solidarity events allowed to protest for few hours, then cleared.