BY ROLLANDE GIRARD
MIAMI, Florida - In an attack on opponents of
Washington's policy towards Cuba, Walfrido Moreno, president
of the Alliance of Workers of the Cuban Community (ATC), was
found guilty of battery and sentenced to 60 days probation
on August 13.
Dade County judge Mercedes Bach also ordered Moreno to perform 40 hours of community service, pay $162 in court costs, and attend anger-control classes. He has also been ordered to stay away from Angel Zayon, a right-wing activist who is a reporter for WSCV-Channel 51.
Moreno, who is 80 years old, was accused of slapping Zayon. He pleaded no contest to the charge of battery.
At an April 2 press conference, Moreno had responded to insults and provocations by Zayon against Andrés Gómez, a leader of the Antonio Maceo Brigade (BAM). The conference was called by the Brigade, the ATC, and the Miami Coalition to End the U.S. Embargo of Cuba to oppose Washington's attacks on Cuba and to present to the press some Cubans who originally left the island on rafts and had just returned from visiting Cuba.
After the April press conference, Zayon carried out a slander campaign against Moreno, Gómez, and other activists who oppose U.S. policy towards Cuba. This included Zayon's appearance on several right-wing Spanish-language radio shows in the Miami area.
Zayon's right-wing campaign against Moreno and other anti- embargo activists has had limited support. This is evidenced by the fact that, after launching this campaign, Zayon was dropped as a radio commentator on one of the Spanish- language radio stations. In addition, Zayon wasn't even interviewed by his own TV station, Channel 51, after Moreno's sentencing.
A number of people from the ATC and the Miami Coalition to End the U.S. Embargo of Cuba were present in court to support Moreno.
Janet Post, Socialist Workers candidate for mayor of Miami commented on Moreno's trial. She said "this is an attack from a point of weakness.
"The right-wing media and organizations have become increasingly more frustrated with their loss of support in the Cuban American community as a whole. Cuban Americans continue to travel to Cuba and a growing number oppose the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba."
Zayon told the press he will file a civil suit against Moreno and Andrés Gómez for slander.
"My campaign calls for organizing the broadest opposition possible to any civil action launched by Zayon against Walfrido Moreno and Andrés Gómez," Post said.
Rollande Girard is the Socialist Workers Party candidate for Miami City Commission, Group V.