Yesterday, downtown Miami became the scene of a demonstration where protestors voiced their opposition to the proposal of a Donald J. Trump Presidential Library set to be positioned next to the historically significant Freedom Tower. The land, recently handed over to the state by Miami Dade College, sparked controversy with civil rights activist Dr. Marvin Dunn and local groups leading the protest, Dunn condemned the move stating, "No president, including Obama, should get this land, much less for free," and expressed dismay at the prospect of a library for “A president who is rounding up people by the thousands, sending them to countries they’ve never been to, and then to have this building with his library next to it, after doing that to our community? I don’t see that,” as reported by Local 10.
Amidst the uproar the process of transferring the 2.5-acre employee parking lot to the state of Florida ensued quickly and with minimal transparency; the board of trustees of Miami Dade College received notification of the state's interest on the land situated on Sept. 16 Roberto Alonso, Board of Trustees Chair, relayed to Local 10 a lack of clarity behind the request nor were any details provided, seven days later the board voted to convey the land, the vote took place without debate, questioning, or public input, the meeting regarding the land transfer was not open to the public through broadcasting or live streaming and official minutes have not been released.
Fueling the protest, concerns put forth by demonstrators drew greater attention to the potential impacts on the community and local college students, the land in question, valued at $67 million according to WSVN, could become the site for a library and possibly a hotel, space that, as Dr. Dunn decried, “It belongs to our kids. It doesn’t belong to Trump, doesn’t belong to [Gov.] DeSantis. It belongs to our kids.”
As the vote on the proposed construction takes place today, protesters vow to keep voicing their opposition.
