Anti-Cuban Sentiment Pervades Southern Florida

Over the course of his career Ozzie Guillen has made it clear, "I don’t admire his [Fidel Castro's] philosophy"(Men's Journal 2008). The manager of the Miami Marlins simply, "admires him [Castro]" for his ability to stand in the face of what many would consider overwhelming odds while maintaining widespread popular support in Cuba. Guillen is on record saying Castro is a "bullsh!t dictator."

Nonetheless, he respects him because, " A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that mother—— is still here.” He clarifies that, "“Everybody in the world hates Fidel Castro, including myself,” (Time April 2012).

For this sentiment,Ozzie Guillen is immediately suspended from his job,  due in part to people like Francis Suarez, chairman of the Miami city commission.,Prior to the suspension Suarez said,. “On behalf of many angry residents, I’m calling for real action to be taken and for the removal of Mr. Guillen"(Time).

For his comment, Guillen apologized profusely, "on his knees" and said his statements were "the worst mistake of his life." Guillen explains, “I was surprised that he’s still in power. That’s what I was trying to say to the journalist"(New York Times April 10, 2012). 

The defense attorneys of the Cuban 5 petitioned the court to move the proceedings outside of Miami due to the overwhelming bias of the population against Cuba. The petition of the  Cuban Five was denied despite the fact that it was, and remains, an impossibility for a Cuban to get a fair trial in southern Florida.

Considering that Ozzie Guillen, the manager of a major league baseball team, has been treated so harshly for doing so little how can anyone believe the Cuban Five were fairly tried?

Free the Cuban Five!