Exile Flotilla Braves Rough Seas to Protest Off Cuba Coast

A group of divers with the exile group O-JEC (Youth Cuban Exiles) get ready to check vessels before a group of Cuban exiles depart in a flotilla of boats staging a fireworks show a little more than 12 miles off the coast of Havana named The "Lights of Liberty" show, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Key West, Fla. The event is organized by the Miami-based Democracy Movement to raise awareness about the island's human rights abuses. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, Pedro Portal) MAGS OUT (pportal@herald.com)

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Nelson Morales, brother of Pablo Morales, pays tribute to Brothers to Rescue, who died when their planes were shot down by Cuban jets on international waters in 1996, before a group of Cuban exiles depart in a flotilla of boats staging a fireworks show a little more than 12 miles off the coast of Havana named The "Lights of Liberty" show, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Key West, Fla. The event is organized by the Miami-based Democracy Movement. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, Pedro Portal) MAGS OUT (pportal@herald.com)

The late Laura Pollan (above, speaking on a cell phone) was leader and a founder of the dissident group Ladies in White, which held weekly marches in Havana to call for the release of political prisoners. Ladies in White included many mothers, wives and daughters of political prisoners.

The waters of the Florida Straits were rough, but Cuban exile groups were not about to abandon their plans.

A coalition set out to sea Friday for a protest off the coast of Cuba that was to include a massive fireworks show.

The group leaving from Key West planned to anchor its flotilla of half a dozen boats a little more than 12 miles off the coast of Havana to raise awareness about the island's human rights abuses.

Saturday is the United Nation's International Human Rights Day.

Organizer Ramon Saúl Sánchez of the small nonprofit the Democracy Movement said about 50 protesters were going in six boats, including an 85-foot vessel and a small security craft. About a dozen members of the media were also following the group.

"Everything is going well despite the rough seas, but our departure will be a little behind," he told The Associated Press on Friday shortly before departure. The activists left around 9:30 a.m., according his group.

The protesters plan to fly a white flag and an image of Laura Pollan, the recently deceased leader of the Cuban group Ladies in White. The group was founded by the wives of political prisoners and demonstrated for years to free them. After their relatives were released, the women vowed to continue their activity.

Cuba has called the demonstration a provocation. The exile groups say they are merely exercising their rights to freedom of expression.

State Department Spokesman William Ostick says federal authorities have met with the organizers to ensure they comply with U.S. and international laws. He says the organizers have provided assurances they will not violate Cuban territorial waters or airspace. Cuban waters stretch about 12 miles off the island.

"We have urged the Democracy Movement and the Cuban government to exercise caution and restraint during the Democracy Movement's December 9 fireworks shows in international waters off Havana," he said in a statement.

"We have also made it clear to Cuban authorities as well as participants in this event that the U.S. government would punish any violation of U.S. laws," he continued, adding, "The United States government does not promote or encourage this activity."

The Coast Guard has said it will patrol the area to ensure the protesters are well behind the 12-mile mark.

This is based on a story by The Associated Press.