FTAA: Businesses Hunker Down For Next Week's Talks, Protests

MIAMI -- As protesters begin arriving in downtown Miami ahead of next week's trade talks, many of the businesspeople, lawyers and students who normally occupy the streets are heading out.

Most downtown courts are closing or scaling back. Some law firms are relocating for the week or allowing their employees to work from home. Cruise lines are moving operations north to Port Everglades.

It all comes as delegates from 34 nations gather for the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting. Things get off to an official start on Monday.

But protesters say they only have peaceful protest in mind, and are encouraging businesses to stay open. Police are also encouraging businesses to stay open.

The biggest protests are planned for next Thursday and Friday, and those are the days many businesses chose to close. Miami-Dade Community College will cancel classes those days, and the county school board is moving students from four schools downtown to other locations.

Federal courts downtown will be closed all week, and state courts downtown will suspend jury trials for the week, and will be closed next Thursday and Friday. (AP)