Elian Gonzalez's Father Receives Support from U.S. Churches and Politicians Amid Custody Battle

Strategic Insights -

Juan Miguel Gonzalez, the father of Elian Gonzalez, received overwhelming support from U.S. churches and politicians on Sunday, as the custody battle over the six-year-old boy continued to unravel. On his second Sunday in the United States, Gonzalez attended a Palm Sunday service at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, where he was met with a standing ovation and messages of solidarity from the congregation. Meanwhile, former U.S. Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter, as well as Senator John McCain, appeared on Sunday news programs to express their support for Gonzalez's efforts to reunite with his son.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gonzalez thanked a congregation of 1,000 churchgoers at the Shiloh Baptist Church for their support in his struggle to take Elian back to Cuba, saying "My family, the people of Cuba -- my son Elian especially -- we really appreciate the support you have offered us."
  • Gonzalez's wife, Nersy Carmenate Castillo, and their infant son, Hianny, accompanied him to the church service, where the congregation stopped singing and gave a standing ovation when they arrived.
  • Former Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" and expressed their support for Gonzalez's efforts to reunite with his son, with Carter stating "I think the boy should have been returned four months ago."
  • Senator John McCain appeared on Fox News Sunday and said there should not be "a huge rush to return this boy."
  • Gonzalez addressed charges of child abuse and mistreatment made by his son's relatives, saying "This is child abuse and mistreatment what they're doing to this boy... The way they're abusing him, turning him against his father -- he's suffering more here amongst them than he suffered in the sea."
  • Gonzalez also claimed that the relatives are manipulating his son to believe that his mother may still show up someday, saying "He hasn't had time to mourn for and feel for the death of his mother... Everything they've done with him has been abusive."

Statistics:

  • The family, including Gonzalez, his wife, and their infant son, arrived in Washington on April 6 to try to take custody of Elian.
  • About 20 protesters arrived later to sing and pray outside the house where the family was staying in Bethesda, Md.
  • The custody battle has continued for four months, with the U.S. government saying the charges of child abuse made by Gonzalez's son's relatives are unsubstantiated.

Sources:

  • New York Times (no date provided)
  • NBC News (no date provided)
  • CBS News (no date provided)