Immigration attorney Willy Allen has expressed skepticism about the possibility of large-scale demonstrations occurring in Florida similar to those recently seen in Los Angeles against President Donald Trump's immigration policies. In an interview with CiberCuba, Allen highlighted that the lack of community support and the unique demographic makeup of South Florida set these regions apart significantly.
“The majority of Hispanics affected in Miami are Cubans and Central Americans,” Allen explained. “They do not have sufficient support to stage massive street protests,” he added. Allen pointed to protests related to the I-220A form in South Florida, which typically draw only about 100 to 200 participants, a turnout he considers "quite limited."
According to Allen, the contrast with Los Angeles lies in its diverse immigrant community, which is largely and directly impacted by the measures and feels more targeted. “There, you have a very varied community, mostly feeling directly affected by the measures, which has prompted a much more vigorous public response,” he noted.
The attorney also believes cultural and social differences contribute to the low mobilization in South Florida. “I don’t think they will protest to stop detentions; they have a slightly different mentality. You’re not going to see Cubans breaking Cuban businesses on Calle 8, nor Venezuelans attacking Venezuelan, Cuban, or Colombian stores in El Doral or Hialeah,” he asserted.
These comments reflect the perception that despite growing dissatisfaction with immigration policies, the immigrant community in Florida is neither willing nor organized to take to the streets in large numbers, as seen in other parts of the country. However, protests were reported in Tampa this Tuesday in support of the Los Angeles demonstrators. Groups like Occupy Florida, Resistance Support, and Voices of Florida gathered at 3:00 p.m. with banners demanding an immediate halt to raids and mass deportations.
Meanwhile, the situation in Los Angeles remains tense. Over 1,700 National Guard members and 700 Marines have been deployed to control protests triggered by last Friday’s raids. Although many demonstrations have been peaceful, there have been instances of violence, looting, and clashes with law enforcement.
Understanding Florida's Protest Dynamics
Why are large-scale protests unlikely in Florida?
According to attorney Willy Allen, the lack of community support and the demographic composition of South Florida make large-scale protests unlikely. The Hispanic community in Miami, mainly composed of Cubans and Central Americans, does not have the necessary backing to organize massive protests.
What factors contribute to the difference in protest dynamics between Los Angeles and Florida?
The diversity and profile of the immigrant community in Los Angeles, which feels more directly affected by immigration measures, contribute to a more vigorous public response compared to Florida. Cultural and social differences also play a role, as communities in Florida have different mentalities towards protesting.
Have there been any protests in Florida related to immigration policies?
Yes, despite the overall limited mobilization, there have been protests in Tampa in support of Los Angeles demonstrators, with groups demanding an end to raids and mass deportations.