Elian's Grandmothers on Their Way to Miami
Leave Manhattan at Noon (January 24): "Want to see their grandson."

Noon Monday, January 24, 2000, NEW YORK CITY -- Elian Gonzalez’s grandmothers have just left their New York City (Manhattan) host’s residence for the airport, where they will board a plane for Miami.

"The grandmothers are going to Miami because they want to see their grandson," said the Rev. Randy Naylor, Director of Communication for the National Council of Churches (NCC), which is facilitating the grandmothers’ visit to the United States.

The traveling group includes: Mariela Quintana, Elian’s paternal grandmother; Raquel Rodriguez, Elian’s maternal grandmother; the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, NCC General Secretary; the Rev. Oscar Bolioli, Director, Latin America and Caribbean Department, NCC/Church World Service and Witness Unit; the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, the NCC’s former General Secretary (retired from that post as of December 31, 1999); the Rev. Naylor, and the Very Rev. Oden Marichal, President, Cuban Council of Churches.

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 Contact: NCC News