Miami chosen to host annual Latin Grammys in September, despite concerns about protests

<br>MIAMI (AP) _ The Latin Grammys will finally take place in Miami this year, after moving to Los Angeles because of concerns about Cuban protesters. <br><br>The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS

Wednesday, April 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI (AP) _ The Latin Grammys will finally take place in Miami this year, after moving to Los Angeles because of concerns about Cuban protesters.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS from the AmericanAirlines Arena on Sept. 3, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences said.

Tuesday's agreement came after months of negotiations between local leaders and the Latin Academy. New York, where the Grammys took place in February, was the other contender to host.

``It is time to officially bring the show to Miami _ one of the most culturally diverse and musically vibrant cities in America,'' said Manolo Diaz, chairman of the Latin Recording Academy Board of Trustees.

The inaugural ceremony in 2000 took place in Los Angeles because of a Miami ordinance barring the county from doing business with those who have dealings with Cuba. The law was later invalidated by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The 2001 show was awarded to Miami but was moved to Los Angeles after Cuban exile groups threatened to protest because performers from communist Cuba would have been allowed to perform.

Then the show was canceled after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Last year's show took place in Los Angeles again.

The spokesman for the coalition of Cuban exile organizations that planned those protests said they would organize demonstrations again if Cuban artists were invited.

``If Fidel Castro is treated like a show business impresario and is allowed to send Cuban agents to the event, because those performers are not artists, then for sure we will organize protests again,'' Emilio Izquierdo said.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said he believed if protests took place, the show could still go on with increased police presence.