Miami Cuban exile group calls for protest, boycott of Marlins
Source: Miami Herald
Posted on Monday, 04.09.12
Miami Cuban exile group calls for protest, boycott of Marlins
Following controversial remarks about Fidel Castro by Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, a Cuban exile group planned a protest and boycott of the team, and the head of the Miami-Dade County Commission called for Guillens resignation.
By Melissa Sanchez and Patricia Mazzei
pmazzei@MiamiHerald.com
The Cuban exile group Vigilia Mambisa has called for a protest at noon Tuesday against the Miami Marlins stadium in Little Havana, in response to recent statements by the team manager, Venezuela-born Ozzie Guillen, in which he expressed admiration for Fidel Castro.
We strongly disagree with the opinion of Ozzie Guillen, and consider it a provocation against the Cuban and Venezuelan communities, said Miguel Saavedra, head of Vigilia Mambisa. Tomorrow starts a boycott. We are asking for the resignation of Guillen.
Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Joe Martinez also called for Guillens resignation.
In an article published by Time magazines Internet edition, Guillen is quoted as saying, I love Fidel Castro.
Guillen also stated: I respect Fidel Castro, Time reported. You know why? Many people have tried to kill Fidel Castro in the last 60 years, yet that [SOB] is still there.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/09/2739214/miami-cuban-exile-group-calls.html#storylink=cpy
Same group helped disrupt the 2000 Presidential election vote recount in South Florida, as you may remember:
Have Bullhorn, Will Travel
Most anti-Castro groups shun partisan presidential politics, but not Miguel Saavedra and his merry band of protesters
AAAComments (2) By Jacob Bernstein Thursday, Dec 7 2000
The call came over the airwaves as it had so many times before. On Wednesday, November 22, Radio Mambí (WAQI-AM 710) and La Poderosa (WWFE-AM 670) reverberated with the cries of political advocates, among them U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and state Sen. Mario Diaz-Balart, urging people to descend on the Stephen P. Clark Government Center in downtown Miami.
Enraged Republican operatives imported from dozens of states needed help. The Republicans, mainly congressional staffers, already had filled the county-election department reception area, banging on doors and shouting in protest of a decision to count ballots away from public view. A number of them even had accosted a local Democratic Party stalwart, chasing after him in the false belief he had stolen a ballot.
It was no secret which political party the majority of local Cuban Americans supported. Stung by Elian Gonzalez's violent removal in April, a popular slogan in Little Havana this past summer was "Mr. Clinton, we will remember in November."
But this time few heeded the call. In fact only one anti-Castro exile organization of the scores that operate in South Florida reinforced the Republicans. Vigilia Mambisa mustered about 25 people for a demonstration outside the county hall, where they gamely shouted, "We want Bush! No more Gore!" Leading them in the chants through his bullhorn was Mambisa president Miguel Saavedra. He and some of the others, encouraged by GOP officials, would continue to follow the Republicans throughout the week as the demonstrations moved from Miami-Dade to Broward and then on to Palm Beach.
More:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2000-12-07/news/have-bullhorn-will-travel/
[center]
Vigilia Mambisa's leader, Miguel
Saavedra, throws his bullhorn
at Venezuelan leftist in Miami.
Miami Cuban exiles chase away Code Pink members
&feature=player_detailpage#t=402s[/center]
atreides1
(16,067 posts)So which are they? Americans or Cuban exiles...it's time to make a choice...been years since the original exiles ran from a fight!
Would be too far fetched to question their loyalty to the United States?
geomon666
(7,512 posts)A lot of them will swear they can't wait to get back to Cuba once Fidel dies. The rest of us call them on their bullshit.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)Vogon_Glory
(9,110 posts)I have to admit that Ozzie Guillen was right. Although I'm no fan of Fidel Castro's politics or his economic policies, I am more than willing to admit my (grudging) respect for the man's political savvy and insight. Democratically-elected politicians come and go, we all know that. We also know that dictators come and go, and that the stupid ones go quickly. The cleverer ones tend to last, and Fidel Castro's regime has lasted over 50 years, longer than any other political regime since Cuba's political ties with Spain were forcefully severed in 1898. Fidel Castro didn't stay in power just because he was repressive or just because he was there.
I might think that Cuba would be a better place with at least a mixed economy and open elections, but unlike a lot of the South Florida emigres, I'm perceptive enough to realize that Fidel Castro has set his stamp on Cuba in a more permanent way than anybody since Cuba's independence.
I am out of the Texas political mainstream (After all, I vote Democratic and post on DU), but I've got enough in common with more typical Texas politicians or political kibbitzers. We respect the abilities of leaders and men and women with power, whether we agree with their politics or not. And Fidel Castro has shown considerable political skill and leadership ability.
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)...
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)How could anyone tell?
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Since by all accounts they have been among the lowest demographic groups for ticket sales
Vogon_Glory
(9,110 posts)But low demographics for ticket sales will be trotted out as solid "proof" as to just how widely supported Radio Mambisi's call for a boycott is among the Cuban emigre community.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)
Post removed
Daniel537
(1,560 posts)The People's Banana Republic of Miami-Dade is alive and well.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and I don't even like Ozzie
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)but that would make me as bad as they are. They supposedly come here for freedom but they get completely bent out of shape and want to shut a private citizen's mouth for simply speaking his mind.