While Leaders Meet, American Tourists Detained and Forgotten

As the General Assembly of the United Nations opens in New York, the G-20 convenes in Pittsburgh, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference unfolds in Washington, just beneath the radar is a mini-international crisis that many leaders, so it seems, are simply ignoring.

On Friday, September 4, 2009, approximately a dozen Brooklyn, New York tourists aboard Carnival Cruises docked at the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. According to six of the tourists from the twelve in the original traveling group, what should have been a simple taxi ride to sight-see turned into a dispute over the fare.

"We were initially told the ride was $50, which we were fine with," the group said in a statement. Instead, they continue, "The driver hiked the fare to $100 at the conclusion of the ride, and when we refused to pay that amount, he drove us to the police station." The six say that the mostly young and female group was beaten by plainclothes men and women and uniformed police officers, who then turned around and arrested half the group for assaulting said officers, among other charges. Three weeks later the Antigua 6, as they've come to be known, remain holed up in a foreign country as a trial that is hugely slanted against them drags, with no conclusion in sight.

The six detainees are four young women and two young men and all are of either American or Caribbean heritage. And they are not "thugs" as has been reported on blogs and in various news accounts. They are the best we have to offer in America: Rachel Henry, age 27, certified chef, fashion and runway model; Shoshannah Henry, age 24, singer-songwriter, law school student; Dolores Lalanne, age 25, social worker; Nancy Lalanne, age 22, licensed practical nurse; Joshua Jackson, age 25, crew chief for international airline, customer service representative for utilities company; and Mike Pierre-Paul, age 25, licensed practical nurse.

A number of thorny issues are raised by this detainment of American tourists: One, why hasn't the Obama administration stepped in, at a higher level, to settle a dispute that should have been over in a matter of days? Second, what, precisely, are the politicians in these Americans' home districts doing to help? I am especially referring to the two New York state Senators and those Congressional members in whose communities these young people reside? I cannot imagine the late Senator Ted Kennedy having this happen to taxpayers in his beloved Massachusetts and him not putting his staffers all over this. Finally, what does it say about our nation if our citizens can save their money for a vacation, as these folks did, make that journey, and the moment they are in international terrain with unsavory cab drivers (the cab driver in question was not even registered with the local taxi association) they are subjected to extortion, and worse, if they dare resist the profit-before-people mindset of a tiny nation that needs tourism dollars to survive and thrive? Is there any protection for American travelers, or are we simply on our own?

Unsettling, too, is the relative silence of Carnival Cruises. To date, the Americans' loved ones have not so much as received a phone call or a letter of support from this cruise giant. Never mind that Micky Arison and his family have built a massive fortune off the backs of working Americans who save their pennies for these once in a lifetime jaunts from island to island. While I certainly commend Nicole Theriot, Consul General to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados for spending a good deal of time in Antigua trying to help these Americans, she is now gone, and the young people remain detained.

Nearly a year ago, we implored young Americans like the Antigua 6 to get out and vote, and they did, in record numbers. A year later it seems no one wants to hear their voices, nor aid them in their time of need, as they miss school, work, and their families back home. Be it the General Assembly, the G-20, the Congressional Black Caucus, or President Obama himself, someone must step up and demand justice and an immediate end to this sad debacle.

Kevin Powell is a writer, activist, and author of 10 books, including his latest, Open Letters to America. Reach him at [e-mail].

 

 

Comments

[BLESS999]

COME 2 ANTIGUA ITS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH BUT PLEASE WALK WITH MONEY ITS NOT FOR FREE .$1US DOLLAR IS $2.70 EC ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;ITS NOT $1DOLLAR FR $1MILLION.TRUST ME WHEN U COME U WOULD NOT WANT 2 GO BACK ,THE HOTELS PRICES ARE GREAT TRUST ME

[BLESS999]

JESUS LOVES ANTIGUA SO 2 ALL THE HATERS GIVE ANTIGUA A BREAK, WHY WHEN A CITIZEN FROM YOUR COUNTRY GETS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW THEY ARE RIGHT, U ARE READY TO CALL THE PRESIDENT ,CALL THE MARINES. THATS THE PROBLEM WITH THE US THE PEOPLE ARE SPOIL

[livinCalDemtbubble]

I remember a few years ago taking a cruise, and arriving at the port of Cozumel a long line of cab drivers waiting for prospective fares. I was not tempted to use their services. But I felt sad for them, waiting for fares, the sense of poverty and desperation around the prospect of a generous tourist. The cruise line gave no advise about local dangers, only promoted their "shore excursions". People need to remember that travel is exciting, fun, adventurous but also dangerous. And once out of the US, you do not have the civil protections we have in the US. I think the best tropical vacation is Hawaii, not only becaue its beautiful, but also because I have the protection of being a US citizen in the United States (Hawaii).

[brklynivn]

What the hell is the State Department for? Isn't its mandate to protect American citizens when abroad? What has happened to this country.

[len501]

Are they to be protected from having to obey the laws of other countries? What sort of world are you advocating; one in which the rest of the world obeys American laws, but Americans get to do whatever they want on foreign soil without any consequences?

[roshni]

If they have been beaten and detained for over 6 days for a dispute over a cab fare, I would suggest that intervention is in order, at least to get information about what is going on.
I will not be visiting Antigua any time soon.

[Leigh49]

I am sure the President has more pressing issues to address than American tourists who were where they shouldn't have been. People need to start thinking before they enter foreign countries. I want them to come home safe, but it's not a national crisis.

[NoCorporatePersonhood]

I also have to say that the silliest part of this article is calling the cab driver unsavory (which he most likely was) because "the cab driver in question was not even registered with the local taxi association" Brother, have you traveled to poor countries? This is a way the average citizen can earn some extra cash and is very normal in many poor countries. Most people of the world might even find it a bit silly and oppressive to have to pay to get papers to give other people a ride.

Again, Hope they are let go immediately.

[phlashba]

This is a common scam in the Carribean (and other developing places). Odds are that the "cab driver" is the real bad guy.

[NoCorporatePersonhood]

I hope they are released soon.

They should have paid the extra $50 and chalked it up to a learning lesson. You can't expect the same treatment in other countries as we receive here in the US. For example, if you go to Mexico, you should fully expect to get pulled over for nothing and pay a bribe to be let go. Its just the way it is.

Any American traveling especially to poor countries should keep in mind just how poor the average person is and how they may resent a "rich" American. I think these kids may have been in a bubble like many American's are.

[Bartolo27]

Remember Houston's own Allen Stanford now in prison ripped Antigua off and cheated those people out of all of their money in his bank. Thousands of Antiguans lost everything. Then Chavez of Venezuela had to come to their rescue.

Best to keep educated and stay abreast of current events if you are going traveling outside the USA because the Republicans have f * c k e d over people everywhere. Some individuals lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Funny how it's the right wing that wants to charge down there with the marines when it is because of them that these people hate us.

[dnaromney]

The Republicans want to invade Antigua?

[Droekie]

Maybe Carnival cruises and the U.S. government didn't react because the evidence against the 6 is strong enough that they can't do anything about it.

Nobody knows at the moment ...wait for the evidence before giving judgement

[Droekie]

I am getting a little tired of Americas bleeding heart when it comes to Americans abroad in legal trouble.

Why is it always the country 's fault whenever an American is arrested'.

Nobody has any real facts about the case, just the words of the arrested party, who says they are not really guilty, whos says they aren't.

But to presume that because they have American passports that they can't do any harm, is absurd.

Amanda Knox case: Italian government is grand standing and a farce.
Natalie Holloway: An entire Island villified because another tourist killed an American.

People need to see the facts first , before creating an dislike or hate for a country solely on the base that they arrested and American.

[ukbent]

Good point!

[phlashba]

Have you ever been to The Bahamas?

[roshni]

I think the concern is the detention without much information and the allegations of beating. I'm sure their families would like to know what is going on.

[Avebury]

I have been following the case extensively in the news. The going rate, on a per person basis, for one way to the beach is $6 which would have made the going rate for a round trip for a total of 11 people $132. I believe that there was most likely poor communication from all parties involved. None of us were there so none of us will ever know the full story which I believe probably falls somewhere in the middle between both sides. The additional $50 only amounted to $4.55 per person which is not the end of the world.

What was the most important thing to remember? GET BACK TO THE SHIP! Experienced travelers would have paid the fare just to be able to get back to the ship. Then there would have been avenues available to have addressed any perceived wrongs.

Some of them jumped out of the van which provided a degree of physical protection. You are concerned for your safety so you jump out of the van to face who knows what? When you travel to another country you are subject to the laws of that country. If you travel, do your research. Know what the going rates are for things. Knowledge can save you a lot of grief.

These young people have learned a very painful expensive lesson. Instead of paying $50 they are now out of work for 3 weeks, out for court costs, laywer fees, plane tickets home, etc.

[roshni]

I agree they should have paid up and reported this to the authorities or posted it on the internet. That is what an experienced traveler would have done.

[Flavor]

Mr. Powell, I understand your concern but to say why has'nt the president not stepped in and done something, to me is a little too much however some probably did not know about these americans were detained. I agree with another blogger you need to get with the ambassader and maybe get with the media and get this reported daily/weekly, honestly I did not know anything about these people. Lisa Ling, stayed in the media about her sibling as well as the other young ladies family who was detained with her. The families need to go to the media call Nancy Grace whoever will do the reporting on these people.

[phlashba]

Nancy Grace? PLEASE, NO!

[Flavor]

Well, I was just looking for someone who will at least put the word out there, i'm not trying to win a popularity contest. These people need to get the help they need to be freed.

[Leakman]

Appoint someone who has some balls, to walk into that courtroom, under protection of a squad of heavily armed Marines and defend our citizens. Not their rights, because once your leave our shores you have no rights granted within the U.S.A. He should declare, that If the cabdriver is not tried for extortion and the equally complicit police, is not charged with assault and conspiracy, he will take action to secure his fellow citizens freedom. He should then get up and march all six out of the court room. Ban all travel to Antigua and Barbuda by U.S. citizens until they clean up their act. Period.

[satanlite]

"Ban all travel to Antigua and Barbuda by U.S. citizens until they clean up their act. Period."

That is actually the best idea I've heard so far. Within days the islands would go through a self cleansing process the like they've never seen. Deny them US dollars and cover your ears because the screaming will begin.

[len501]

"Deny the U.S. dollars and cover your ears because the screaming will begin." You are living in a delusional past. While Caribbean countries welcome U.S. tourists, dependence on U.S. aid is not the trap it once was for many. As much of the world has done, these small nations have learned to diversify their funding sources so as not to be held hostage to your kind of rhetoric. Like the rest of the world they have learned the importance of being friends of all, but satellites of none.

[BLESS999]

SOME TIME I WONDER .BUT I WONT CUS AMERICANS, BUT IN EEVERY COUNTRY THEIR ARE DUM ASS. U NEED TO GET OUT OF AMERICA COME 2 ANTIGUA THEN U WOULD NOT BE TALKING LIKE THAT ANTIGUA IS A NICE PLACE WE ARE AN INDEPEDANT COUNTRY THE PEOPLE ARE NICE & VERY FRIENDLY.THIS CASE WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE I HAVE BEEN 2 AMERICA MORE THAN ONCE I HAVE TAKEN THE TRAIN ,THE TAXI SERVICE .DONT MATTER THE PRICE I WOULD PAY BECAUSE MY OBJECTIVE IS 2 GET FROM POINT A 2 POINT B, ON THE OTHER HAND WHEN THE TOURIST ARRIVED BACK IN THE US I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS HEARING ;;;;;WE WERE EATEN BY MOSQUITOES ,WE WERE SLEEPING WITH RATS ,THEY WERE GOING 2 RAPE US ;;;;THE CLIPS WERE CUT TO MAKE IT SOUND BAD , BUT I KNOW DIFFERENT THEY HAD THEIR AGENDA BUT THE LORD IS NOT SLEEPING. ANTIGUA IS BLESS. AND THE LORD WILL CONTINUE 2 BLESS THIS BEAUTIFUL ANTIGUA.

[dnaromney]

Wow

[len501]

This is the sort of nonsense which makes people around the world despise the U.S. You speak as though tourists are never arrested in this country. I don't think that police in this nation would ignore wrong-doing by tourists from Antigua. It's amazing how this arrogant, might is right attitude is so easily resorted to. Why didn't people like yourself think of this sort of action when U.S. citizens were held in North Korea? Antigua may be a small country, but not without the right to enforce its laws and if those laws have to be enforced against American citizens then so be it. You speak as though America has some God given right to enforce its laws against citizens of any country on the planet, but if other countries do the same with American citizens their sovereignty means nothing. The bottom line is this; if you go to other countries, as others have noted, make yourself aware of the laws and most importantly, respect them. AMERICANS ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAWS OF ANTIGUA.

[ukbent]

Well said..

[satanlite]

Having traveled abroad, being ripped off by locals is the normal course of affairs. The fare turned to $100? Would have been much wiser just to pay it and chalk it up as lesson in island rip offs. Now they've got considerbly bigger problems. I feel sorry for them, mostly for their utter lack in wisdome in refusing to pay an extra $50 dollars, but does it warrant the President of the United States stepping in? Not so sure. Maybe a diplomatic call from the US embassy - I t hnk that is in order - but the Prez? Is it THAT level already? For a group who refused a $50 tab? I'm just not convinced of that.

[spikeykitten]

"Is there any protection for American travelers, or are we simply on our own?"

They are not in Kansas anymore -
They should try clicking their heels together three times and repeat:
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
There's no place like home