re: Something similar happened in Miami last year.
Ok, but yes in some cases, it has to do with politics AND of economics.
Even if "the word came from city fathers" as you say, the people have their own wits about them, a mind of their own to choose to participate or not. Traditional church goers, elderly and labor organizations (do those ring a bell in the civil rights movement?) and protesters had a right.
Bottom line, in that case, it didn't entirely have to do with economics. The South American Trade issue is very vague in most eyes.