Three days earlier, a crop duster was stolen from Cuba and flown toward the United States. It crashed in the Gulf of Mexico with nine people aboard, one of whom died. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter brought all the Cubans to Florida. The eight were accorded a hero's welcome by government officials and other big-business politicians who oppose the Cuban revolution. They will be eligible for legal U.S. residence in less than a year.

"We were gratified last week when a group of Cubans were brought to shore and...quickly released," said Marleine Bastieu, executive director of the Haitian Women on Miami. "We want equal treatment for the Haitian refugees."

About 200 Haitians and supporters rallied in front of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) building here September 29. They chanted "Equal treatment for Haitians!" "Justice!" and "Stop racism--free the Haitians now!"

"The law goes for everyone," said Sandra Moreau, a young Haitian-American hoarse from chanting. She was referring to the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, under which Cuban immigrants who set foot on U.S. soil without going through legal channels may apply for residence a year and one day later. If they are picked up at sea, however, they are supposed to be returned to Cuba.

Many in Cuba are opposed to this U.S. law because it is designed to lure Cubans to leave their country by risking their lives on flimsy boats and rafts, making them fodder for Washington's propaganda against the Cuban revolution.

Another demonstrator, Angel Rosario, said he moved to Florida from Puerto Rico six years ago. "If everyone is human, they should have equal rights," he observed. "They say the U.S. is free--but it's not."

About an hour after the demonstration began, a spokeswoman for the INS came over to the rally to speak to the media. Patricia Mancha announced that eight of the 14 detained Haitians would be released on their own recognizance that day. They will still have to appear before an immigration judge to fight for residence.

"This is a great victory for respect, for dignity," Marleine Bastieu told demonstrators after the INS announcement. "However, we will continue to fight." She noted that another 25 Haitians were arrested September 26 when they landed near here at Hollywood Beach. Bastieu also pointed out that there are immigrants who have been locked up at the Krome Detention Center "for months or years. They are from all over, including Jamaica and Africa."

"We will fight until all the refugees are released and they close Krome down," Bastieu declared. "We will also fight for permanent residence for immigrants who have been living here."  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home