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This week on NOW:
Rubber bullets, pepper spray, tasers, and riot gear are all part of law
enforcement's arsenal in dealing with large protests. But in an
increasingly security-conscious America, is the government really taking
aim at our civil liberties? At a trade conference in Miami last
November, hundreds of protesters were detained, searched, and some
seriously injured in violent clashes with police. While official Miami
hailed the event as a model for "homeland security," others called it a
preemptive strike on dissent and an assault on civil liberties. NOW
takes a hard look at the protests and their aftermath to examine whether
law enforcement was maintaining order or abusing power. As other cities
turn to Miami for examples of how to police their major events, the
segment asks, were they protecting the public at the expense of our
civil liberties?
What do a frozen food kingpin and a community activist have in common?
NOW travels to one of the most productive agricultural regions in
America to take the pulse of two locals with deep ties to their
struggling community, even though politically they are worlds apart.
While Tulare County, California may not attract a lot of attention from
the presidential contenders as they stump for votes in the biggest
electoral prize in next Tuesday's primary, for local communities there's
a lot at stake. From pollution and immigration, to poverty, crime, and
rising energy costs, residents of Tulare have a lot riding on the
outcomes of national policy debates. NOW's David Brancaccio talks to
Kathy Garza who helped assemble a local planning committee to fight for
community improvement and Fred Ruiz, chairman of the biggest maker of
frozen Mexican food in the country, who was determined to keep his
business in the community despite competitive pressure.
David Brancaccio sits down with conservative writer and WALL STREET
JOURNAL editor Paul Gigot, to discuss the news beyond the headlines.
With more than 20 years at the WSJ, Gigot won the Overseas Press Club
award for his reporting on the Philippines as Asia Correspondent and the
Pulitzer Prize for commentary for his Washington column POTOMAC WATCH.
Brancaccio and Gigot will discuss everything from the proposed gay
marriage ban to the economy to the presidential elections.
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