Militarization

Prior to the Katrina disaster, communities in New Orleans were heavily policed.  The “war on drugs” provided the police with authority to target and incarcerate many dealing with the realities of poverty and disillusionment.  This “policing” increased in the days following Katrina, as the U.S. military, the National Guard, police from around the country, and heavily armed mercenaries, including Blackwater USA were invited and deputized by Governor Kathleen Blanco.  For the many community members who have remained or have been able to return, police harassment has become commonplace and is viewed as a means to protect the interests of leaders and the business community.

Similarly, the SPP’s built in mechanism to respond to civil unrest (anticipated as a result of the negative impacts of the agreement) includes plans to streamline security forces in the three countries, forming a regional security force for “emergency response.”  It also includes a $1.4 billion three year package called the Merida Initiative. Modeled after Plan Colombia, the Initiative provides military aid to Mexico (mostly to protect natural resource interests furthered by the agreements).  Many argue that the initiative is publicized as a method of “drug control” but really is designed to police the local population.