December 8, 2003

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Miami Police Chief John Timoney, Deputy Police Chief Frank Fernandez, and Officer Angel Calzadilla stood at the Biscayne Boulevard exit of I-95 in downtown Miami on November 24 holding "Thank You" signs in a show of gratitude to downtown business owners and employees for their patience and cooperation during the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial meeting and trade negotiations.

From November 16 to 21 of Trade Ministers and Vice Ministers from 34 countries in the hemisphere gathered for the international summit in downtown Miami to work on the creation of the FTAA. Demonstrators from across the country traveled to Miami to protest against creating the trade bloc. Due to the risk of trouble from some protesters, Miami closed several downtown streets for the safety of residents and the protection of property.