Statement from Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Buena Fe's performance at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium

(MIAMI, September 16, 2014) – "I do not support the musical group Buena Fe or condone any inflammatory statements their members may have made in the past. Additionally, neither I nor any member of my staff has ever met with the presenters or members of Buena Fe. However, the producers of the event have a contractual agreement with Miami-Dade County for the use of the Miami-Dade County Auditorium for their scheduled performance on Thursday, September 18.

“I requested an opinion from our County Attorney, Robert Cuevas, as to whether Miami-Dade County has grounds to cancel this agreement due to the possibility of a protest. The County Attorney has opined that the event cannot be cancelled for that reason based on the terms of the agreement and the tenets of the First Amendment.

“Anyone in the community who does not support the appearance of Buena Fe in Miami is free to not attend the event.  We also respect our residents’ right to peaceful protest.

“Finally, our country and community fully embrace the tradition and principle of free speech and free expression that are denied to so many around the world, especially in Cuba.  These principles are enshrined in the First Amendment to our U.S. Constitution which does not permit Miami-Dade County to manage its public forums, like Miami-Dade County Auditorium, based on the content of potential events or performances.  While we may disagree with the content of the speech or expression, allowing it to go forward shows our true character as Americans, and further serves to contrast our freedoms against those of the same regimes who deny these basic liberties to their people.”