By Shannon O'boye Sun-Sentinel. Web-posted: 1:34 a.m. Apr. 12, 2000.
FORT LAUDERDALE -- An outspoken radio talk show host from Portland, Ore., got a much warmer reception on Tuesday on Fort Lauderdale beach than he did outside Elián Gonzalez's Little Havana home on Friday.
Sporting a T-shirt that said "Send the boy home" on the front and "A father's rights" on the back, Scot Piasant stood in front of Beach Place on Tuesday evening holding a sign encouraging people to honk if they thought Elián should go home with his father.
He got quite a few beeps during the hour he was out there.
"I want people to know it's OK to talk about this," said Piasant, 48. "It's OK to blow your horn."
Some roller bladers, bikers and runners also shouted their approval.
But the scene was much different Friday afternoon when Piasant walked up to Lazaro Gonzalez's house with the stark T-shirt and a tape recorder.
Piasant said he flew to Miami to have his voice heard and to talk with Cuban-Americans who want Elián to stay. Piasant has been broadcasting his South Florida experiences on his morning show.
As he talked to a TV crew Friday, a mob began shouting at him and pushing him. Two police officers pulled Piasant to safety, said Detective Delrish Moss.
Instead of putting himself at risk again, Piasant brought his message to Seabreeze Boulevard.
"Though I don't support Castro, I don't think you should penalize a man by stealing his son just because he lives in a Communist country," he said.
"I'd rather have a commie dad than no dad."
Copyright 1999, Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida Interactive, Inc. |