Members of the CIW took Alligator Alley across the state for a protest (or three…) in Miami on the 12th, doing our part for the Taco Bell Boycott National Day of Action marking this year’s celebration of “Indigenous Day”
But, as is always the case when we head to Miami for a protest, we were not alone!
In fact we were far from alone, with a great turn-out of over 40 for the rush hour protest at our favorite Miami Taco Bell on 79th and Biscayne. In fact, we were accompanied by a European documentary team (guys with camera and boom mic) documenting the electoral process in the US “and other realities,” in their words (guess we fit into the latter category…).
Also, there were folks from SEIU 1199, National Farm Worker Ministry …
… and two of our partners in last year’s Root Cause movement against the FTAA — LIFFT (Low Income Families Fighting Together) and the crew from Lake Worth, both long-time allies in the fight for justice across the state of Florida!
And speaking of justice… after the first protest was so rudely interrupted by the Miami police (whose understanding of civil liberties seems to have developed little since their all-out, rubber bullet assault on the Constitution during last year’s FTAA protests…), the action rolled on undaunted. Here the crowd re-assembled at a second Taco Bell for a little sidewalk messaging. Nicely done… though the photographer might could do a little better on capturing the moment…
And finally it was on to the third Taco Bell of the evening, where the flag was planted…
… and the protest continued, long into the evening. All in all, a fine day and night of protest, despite the best efforts of the local constabulary… Thanks go out to everyone at the Miami action and to all those across the country who organized a protest, tabling, flyering, or other form of speech on this Indigenous Day 2004! We will have reports from other actions across the country coming up soon. In the meantime, check out the daily updates from the Northwest Mini-Tour (Oct. 14-26)!!
