yoshomon
24 Nov 2003, 02:18 PM
This week’s protests against the FTAA in Miami were met with a massive demonstration of state repression, with $8.5 million in US Government funding.* The brunt of the brutality and repression seems to be targeted at People of color, Queers and Transgendered people.* At the beginning of the protest APOC (Anarchist People of Color) had a contingent of 30, now 20 of them have been arrested.* Last week in New York City APOC had a benefit show to raise money for Miami, which was raided by the cops.* This nation-wide racist campaign of harassment and repression must be recognized for what it is.* We are asking that people do whatever they can to contribute to the bail fund, we urgently need to get our comrades out of jail.**
There are currently 98-150 people still in jail.* Out of the APOC people arrested 5 were released and 7 or 8 are missing, 3 of which are high risk.** It has now been confirmed that virtually all Queers and People of color have been segregated and tortured in jail.* In one case a male of color was beaten so badly that he had a brain hemmorage and is currently unconscious in the ICU of the hospital.* Other released people have reported seeing an APOC person taken into a separate room in the middle of the night that never came back and is now missing.* There was one APOC person that was not segregated from the white arrestees, but went to the hospital after being released and is now missing.*
There were 4 or 5 transgendered APOC people in Miami, 2 of whom were arrested and abused but are now out.* There are 4 confirmed cases of sexual assault.* 1 unconfirmed report of rape and 1 unconfirmed report of forced oral sex.* A transgendered person that was released reported having been asked to state their gender and was then put in the middle of the room and asked whether they “had a dick or a pussy.”* The cops then smashed their head on the floor, ripped of their clothing and spread their legs.*
In attempts to reduce solidarity within the jail white activists have been released relatively easily, generally with lower bails and misdemeanor charges.* It is crucial that we show our complete solidarity with our comrades that are being harassed and tortured in jail, we are specifically asking that people do whatever they can to contribute to the bail fund.* Right now people of color, queer and transgendered people are priority due to the level of abuse they are facing, after their bail money is raised the money will be put towards any and all others still in jail.
It is urgent that we get our comrades out of jail, if at all possible please send any amount of money through an online donation at*http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ftaadonate or preferably wire money, from Western Union, to Cynthia Pitt in Miami, Florida.* Then call the convergence (305) 373-9644 with your name, the tracking number and the city you’re wiring the money from.
There are currently 98-150 people still in jail.* Out of the APOC people arrested 5 were released and 7 or 8 are missing, 3 of which are high risk.** It has now been confirmed that virtually all Queers and People of color have been segregated and tortured in jail.* In one case a male of color was beaten so badly that he had a brain hemmorage and is currently unconscious in the ICU of the hospital.* Other released people have reported seeing an APOC person taken into a separate room in the middle of the night that never came back and is now missing.* There was one APOC person that was not segregated from the white arrestees, but went to the hospital after being released and is now missing.*
There were 4 or 5 transgendered APOC people in Miami, 2 of whom were arrested and abused but are now out.* There are 4 confirmed cases of sexual assault.* 1 unconfirmed report of rape and 1 unconfirmed report of forced oral sex.* A transgendered person that was released reported having been asked to state their gender and was then put in the middle of the room and asked whether they “had a dick or a pussy.”* The cops then smashed their head on the floor, ripped of their clothing and spread their legs.*
In attempts to reduce solidarity within the jail white activists have been released relatively easily, generally with lower bails and misdemeanor charges.* It is crucial that we show our complete solidarity with our comrades that are being harassed and tortured in jail, we are specifically asking that people do whatever they can to contribute to the bail fund.* Right now people of color, queer and transgendered people are priority due to the level of abuse they are facing, after their bail money is raised the money will be put towards any and all others still in jail.
It is urgent that we get our comrades out of jail, if at all possible please send any amount of money through an online donation at*http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ftaadonate or preferably wire money, from Western Union, to Cynthia Pitt in Miami, Florida.* Then call the convergence (305) 373-9644 with your name, the tracking number and the city you’re wiring the money from.