Several protesters who were part of a “Rally 4 Citizenship” held in downtown Miami on Monday, October 18 were arrested after refusing to unblock the entrance to Port Miami while chanting for change.
Wearing yellow t-shirts with the message, “Protect Black Migrants,” the demonstrators were lying on the ground on Biscayne Boulevard, and had connected themselves to one another by putting their arms in black cylinders and chanting, “Stop Title 42” and, “We love you, we see you.” In doing this, they blocked the entrance to the port.
The rally was an opportunity for protesters to demand a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented individuals, as well as an end to the deportation of Haitians who enter the country illegally.
The rally started around 11 a.m. at Miami’s Torch of Friendship and held up traffic for about three hours. Due to the protest, City of Miami police closed down Biscayne Boulevard in both directions between Northeast Fourth and Northeast Sixth Streets.
“The world is watching,” “No justice, no Peace,” “No freedom, no peace.” “Free them all,” “Haitian lives matter,” and “Black lives matter” were some of the slogans chanted by the demonstrators during the rally.
Two giant banners that read, “Stop Deporting Haitians” and “Kamala Harris Deliver Citizenship for Millions” were lying down on the street next to the protesters who blocked the road.
Florida Immigrant Coalition as the main organizer was joined by other local groups of immigrant advocates, including Family Action Network Movement (FANM). Its executive director, well-known Haitian-American activist Marleine Bastien, was one of the speakers. Haitian Social Entrepreneur, activist, TPS holder and TV host Farah Larrieux was also among the Haitian personalities who took part in the rally.
“You (referring to President Biden) made the promise last year,” said an energetic Tessa Petit, member of the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC). “You came to immigrants and you promised them that you would protect them. Now it’s time, step up, stand up, fight back against this rhetoric that is saying that immigrants do not deserve to be here.”
“What’s happening is not right. We demand a fair due process. One thing is true: we’re not going to stop until we get what we’re asking and that is citizenship for 8 million people and also for them to stop deporting Haitians,” she added.
“We have a unique opportunity, and we need to know where is Vice President Harris, where is this administration,” said Melissa Taveras, another member of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “That’s why we’re here, to make these demands.”
Haitians in South Florida have been demanding immigration changes as many on the island are trying to get to the U.S. following another earthquake and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
“We are here to demand that the Biden administration stop deporting Haitians,” said the executive director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM), Marleine Bastien. “The fragile social and political situation had become worse since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. It is inhumane to send back to Haiti those migrants who risked their lives to come to the US. Not only do we demand a due process for them, but we also want to call Vice President Kamala Harris to disregard the Senate Parliamentarian’s recommendation and insert a path to citizenship in the President’s Build Back Better plan.”
TV host Farah Larrieux, said she proudly participated at the rally, saying she considers those demonstrators who were not afraid to be arrested for a great cause as her extended family.
“We will not stop protesting until the Biden administration hears our voice,” said Larrieux. “Vice President Kamala Harris has the voice to help democrats in Congress pass the immigration reform. As a black person, daughter of an immigrant couple herself, I think she is in a position to help millions of undocumented individuals find a pathway to citizenship for millions.”
Asked if she believes this type of protest will be heard by the Biden administration, Ms. Larrieux replied, “They already heard our voice and we will not stop protesting until we get ‘justice’ to our millions brothers and sisters migrants.”
“This caught us by surprise. We weren’t expecting them to tie hands as they did and lay at the entrance to the port,” said Miami Police Officer Michael Vega.
Miami Police said they have no problem with demonstrations, but in this case, they were blocking the entrance of the port, disrupting business and that could not happen.
“We want them to demonstrate, we want them to show their cause but they needed to do it in a peaceful way where they’re not obstructing traffic,” said the police officer.
“We explained to them [that] if you don’t stop or get up and move you will be arrested,” said Vega. “Eventually, after disregarding our commands, they were arrested.”
Miami Police said the demonstrators who were arrested face an obstructing the roadway charge. By the afternoon, at least three were charged with unlawful assembly to commit breach of peace.
They had posted their $500 bond hours later and were permitted to go home. They were expected to go in front of a judge days later.
D. Ferdinand / Le Floridien