Excessive-force suit thrown out in Miami raid for Elian

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Aug. 25, 2004


Excessive-force suit thrown out in Miami raid for Elian
Associated Press


MIAMI - A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit claiming six federal agents used excessive force in an armed raid to seize Elian Gonzalez at the home of his Miami relatives four years ago.

The 14-page order issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke concluded the agents who conducted the raid were legally immune to the lawsuit, and she found no constitutional violations.

"We're pleased with the judge's decision," said Charles Miller, a Washington spokesman with the Department of Justice. That wasn't the reaction in Miami.

"We are shocked and disappointed by the court's decision," Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said in a statement Wednesday. The legal watchdog group sued on behalf of Elian's cousin, great-uncle and his wife. "It's a shame the Bush administration defends these unlawful acts by the Clinton administration."

The Gonzalez family is considering an appeal.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/9495031.htm
(Free registration required)

[pinniped]

1. What did they want? A gazillion dollars?

A new door? Elian? The article doesn't say.

I recall one of them making statements before the raid that they were armed here or something to that effect. After reading or hearing that I thought there was going to be a shootout if .gov tried anything.

Funny, the first time I clicked the link the story was there. No registration but now it reverted back to the registration page. Did my computer read your disk cache or something?

[Judi Lynn]

2. Have no idea, sfg25! That's happened for me before at the Miami Herald,too

Regarding your reference to some armed people around there, you may remember Marisleysis hinted to the State Department people on the phone as they tried to communicate with the people in her house to set up the meeting to retrieve Elián that they just might more than just cameras or some such nonsense inside their house.

The government people read it as a not so veiled threat. You may remember it was believed there were people in neighboring houses who were armed, and the government was concerned about a shoot out from them if they went in to get him in broad daylight. That's why they got the jump on them by showing up late at night.

If some Miami DU'ers see your post, they might add what they read in the papers in town at the time, or heard on radio or tv about the crowd which surrounded the place. I believe I have heard that the Cuban "exile" terrorist/murderer/bomber Orlando Bosch (who was refused entry into over 30 countries, and was pardoned by George H. W. Bush) was seen even in a group photo taken of people in the area. Yuck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some interesting photos of the fit they threw in Miami after they learned Elian would be returned to his father. When I saw this site at first, I didn't realize they threw TWO tantrums in Miami over Elian.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/594712.stm

In the second tantrum, you may remember, they burned tires in the streets and threatened they were going to close down the entire town.

[girl gone mad]

3. I guess..

Republicans support violent protest against the government as long as it prevents a loving father from getting custody of his little boy.

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x777463