(10 Dec 1994) Spanish/nat
Thousands of anti Fidel Castro demonstrators took to the streets of Miami Saturday demanding the ouster of the Cuban leader.
The protesters are angry that the Cuban question is not being addressed formally at this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Florida.
It was the first major protest to take place at the Summit of the Americas.
Marching into Miami's Orange Bowl stadium, the protesters demanded action by the Clinton administration.
Many of the 50 thousand participating included Cuban exiles and their supporters from all over the United States.
Many say they refuse to rest until democracy reigns on the Caribbean Island nation.
There was also criticism from Fidel Castro's sister, who's among the Cuban exiles living in the United States.
SOUNDBITE:
"With our presence, we want to show all the Presidents who are here, that all Cubans who have been displaced, we are on borrowed territory.
SUPER CAPTION: Juanita Castro, Fidel Castro's sister.
SOUNDBITE:
"All the Cubans there want liberty, change. The situation in Cuba is very sad, sad for all Cubans, we all want liberty.
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Castro's nephew.
The Cuban exiles are angry that many of those who risked their lives to escape Cuba earlier this year are now in refugee camps throughout the Caribbean.
A giant Cuban flag was unfurled, a sign of the unity these exiles feel with their countrymen who still remain on the island nation.
11 Cuban celebrities participated including salsa singer Willie Chirino.
A group of women carrying a Cuban flag have pledged to wear black in mourning for their country until Castro is removed from power.
SOUNDBITE:
"We can't achieve anything while there is a government that is a dictatorship, while there is no democracy. A government that is trying to destabilise (other) governments of the region."
CAPTION: Cuban protestor
Castro was the only head of state in the hemisphere not invited to the Summit of the Americas and the official agenda includes no discussion of the need to promote democracy in the island nation.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
