John De Leon. Published Tuesday, August 21, 2001.
The Miami Herald in
About 20 years ago I went to a performance at Lincoln Center of the Royal
Ballet's Sleeping Beauty. Both Prince Charles and then-First Lady Nancy Reagan
were in attendance. Anti-British pro-Irish demonstrators protested the
performance in a small park across from the theater. During the performance,
hecklers in the orchestra section stood up and shouted their political feelings
at strategic periods during the ballet.
The Royal Ballet, a world-class company, knowing full well that performing
outside the United Kingdom at the time invited Irish protests, did not cancel
its presentations. The demonstrators, knowing that the performances offered a
forum to espouse their view, seized the opportunity. As long as there are
political or ideological conflicts, such confrontations in public settings will
go on.
A few years ago County Mayor Alex Penelas and Miami Mayor Joe Carollo
indicated they would try to prevent any Cuban artists from performing in local
public venue. Lawsuits were filed to allow American sponsors to present artists
in city and county public venues.
Ironically, neither politician championed the First Amendment a few years
ago. Today, however, both mayors are taking very different positions. That is
growth.
A coalition of Cuban-exile groups attempted to do in a democracy what would
not be allowed in today's Cuba. Launch a highly visible and critical
demonstration of a regime they are opposed to. It is unthinkable to prevent
them.
There is no denying that the Latin Grammys provide a highly publicized forum
for the exiles to remind the world of their message.
Whether a demonstration at the Latin Grammys was the most effective method
of getting their message across is a decision for them, not the government, to
make. To have it any other way would be a totalitarian tactic unworthy of the
best traditions of this country.
Additionally, the government has the absolute responsibility to make sure
the First Amendment is vindicated for the Latin Grammy organization and
performance attendees -- whether they come by limousine or on foot. Their rights
to hold and attend the performance must be protected against anyone who would
use any sort of physical threat to undermine the show.
What is most unfortunate is that the organization responsible for scheduling
the Latin Grammys indicated a reluctance to come to Miami in light of the
planned demonstrations. That an organization ostensibly dedicated to promoting
creative and artistic excellence would want to stifle freedom of expression is
an embarrassment.
Yes, they should be concerned about their patrons' safety and comfort. But
if their patrons' comfort includes not being exposed to ideas they find
unpleasant or inappropriate then they should get out of the business of
rewarding diversity of artistic creativity.
After all, the music that will be showcased, including the Cuban music,
should be about stretching the boundaries of what makes us comfortable.
Coming to terms with ideological conflict and diversity is the role of
mature actors in civil society. Unfortunately, our history -- from Miami to
Washington -- is replete with examples of those who wanted to prevent it.
John De Leon. Bogota, Colombia
John De Leon is former president of the Miami Chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union -- Ed. | 
