Latin Grammys Relocate To L.A.

The 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards show has said adios to Miami and hola to Los Angles, where it was held last year, fearing protests and possible violence from anti-Castro Cuban exiles who are opposed to Cuban nationals attending the ceremony.

The awards ceremony has now been moved from the American Airlines Arena in Miami to the Great Western Forum in Inglewood on Sept. 11.

The site change is the result of the city of Miami's decision on Sunday, Aug. 19, to change the approved safety zone to allow anti-Castro groups to demonstrate across the street from the arena, and create significant security problems.

"To further compound this problem," said Michael Greene, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, "we then learned that more than 100 Cuban-American groups now would be allowed to demonstrate in a high-traffic area for Grammy activities, potentially putting our guests at serious risk.

Further, the Academy was made aware that protestors had secured tickets to the show and were organizing a disruption to the live telecast itself.

"We want this to be the greatest, most wonderful experience and celebration for all of (the nominees) in their lives," Greene said. "And what it was turning into, especially with the reneging on the security zone, was (that) we were being set up to basically be a political platform for Cuban dissidence. That's not what the show is about. We just weren't going to put up with it."