Cuban-American exile groups in Miami said they will continue their protests against The Bahamas if the government does not reveal the findings of an investigation into last month’s alleged beating of a Miami reporter outside the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.
Mickey Garrote, spokesperson at Agenda Cuba, one of the groups involved in the anti-Bahamas demonstrations in Miami over the weekend, said the government could end the protests immediately simply by revealing the content of the investigation and honouring its international commitments to the humane treatment of detainees.
Mr Gorrote did not say how long the groups were prepared to wait for the results of the investigation, adding that anything was better than being ignored. Meantime, he described the weekend protests as “successful”.
“I just wanted to share with you some personal reactions from the protest yesterday (Sunday) at Watson Island, Port of Miami and at the South Beach Fishing Pier,” he said.
“The protest was by water, land and air. It was impressive to see the airplanes flying in circular motion above the cruise ships. One of the airplanes flew a large black and red banner that read: “Bahamas respect migrants rights.”
He added, “I have to tell you that one of the more emotional moments of the protest was when the cruise ships passed in front of us and many of the passengers waved back at us, some gesturing signs of solidarity with us. Many of the passengers filmed and took pictures of us.
CBS 4 news in Miami and other local media covered the story including Spanish-language, stations Univision and Telemundo. The demonstrations staged by both Agenda Cuba and Movimiento Democracia, lasted five hours – from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Agenda Cuba and Movimiento Democracia say they will continue to pressure the government to release the findings of the investigation into the Feb. 7 alleged beating of Univision journalist Mario Vallejo. Mr Vallejo was attacked and beaten by Defence Force officers while shooting footage of Cubans inside the Detention Centre. The incident was reportedly shown on Univision and a few other television stations in South Florida. In response, Cuban-American groups, the following day, demonstrated outside The Bahamas Consulate in Miami and called for a tourist boycott of The Bahamas.
Mark Wilson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, admitted that the details of the investigation had not been publicly revealed. However, he defended the Ministry concealing the findings, saying because of the “legal implications,” the matter had been referred to the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson was not available for comment yesterday, but Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe told The Guardian that his ministry was concerned about the demonstration, which he said could hurt the country in the near future.
“Yes we are concerned,” he said. “I’m very concerned about the protests, the length of the protests, if they continue. I’m concerned because whilst it might not have an effect today, the long-term effect could be negative because they are really talking to those that have not yet booked cruises.”
By MINDELL SMALL Guardian Senior Reporter
