Cuban-Americans rally in West Palm Beach to support Havana protesters desmoinesregister.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from desmoinesregister.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Cuban American protests challenge DeSantis anti-riot law
Gov. DeSantis calls Cuban support demonstrations fundamentally different from BLM protests
and last updated 2021-07-14 17:48:21-04
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) â Florida s controversial new anti-riot law is facing some serious questions after demonstrations in Miami and West Palm Beach closed busy freeways Tuesday.
The law was passed during Florida s recent legislative session and championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis following last summer s protests after the murder of George Floyd.
The new law punishes protesters who take part in violent and disorderly demonstrations in Florida along with commandeering highways.
There is a specific section of the new law that says people are in violation if they willfully obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of a public street, highway or road by impeding, hindering, stifling, retarding, or restraining traffic.
By Joel Malkin
Photo: CBS 12
Just like in other parts of the state, protesters shut down traffic along I-95 in West Palm Beach on Tuesday night, calling for freedom on the Communist island to our south.
They were voicing their support for the Cuban people amid antigovernment protests on the Communist island nation.
The southbound lanes of the Interstate remained closed for about four hours, while traffic was also brought to a standstill on Okeechobee Boulevard, near the I-95 entrance.
Earlier in the evening, there was another rally held at Jose Marti park in downtown West Palm Beach, where organizer Rick Gonzalez said that rain wasn t going to stop protesters getting their message out.
The 60-year-old talked about his hope for the future of his home country and the solidarity he sees with Central and South American countries in crises. Sunday was the most hopeful day of my life, he said in Spanish of watching videos of Cubans marching in the streets.
He said Cubans need to fight injustice throughout their own country and others in the region. We are talking today about our compatriots in Cuba, he told the small crowd, speaking in Spanish. We are talking about our friends in Venezuela, in Nicaragua and Bolivia. This has to stop now.
Some supporters went as far as to protest on Interstate 95 after the rally, shutting down southbound lanes for nearly two hours, West Palm Beach police said.
Band together and stand for freedom : Elected officials back Cuba; D C bus caravan planned msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.