Miami model

On November 13, 2003, four days before the FTAA, the city passed City of Miami Ordinance 54-6.1, outlawing a broad range of items that could be construed as weapons or devices for disrupting public order, as in a "sleeping dragon" and outlawed any coordinated group of two or more people who are attempting to get public attention and disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

[3] Additionally, areas that are to be the site of a major event are given large federal grants to purchase materials for security.

Protestors and activists allege some of the following[4] as further tactics belonging to the Miami model: Miami Activist Defense and National Lawyers Guild filed a federal lawsuit against the City, the Mayor, Police Chief Timoney, Homeland Defense Secretary Ridge, and Attorney General Ashcroft for rampant abuse of the constitution.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed numerous lawsuits claiming excessive use of force and illegal searches.

The Florida Fair Trade Coalition (FFTC) was initial and primary group that began the organizing for these events.