The Cubans rioting against the naturalization and immigration officials
The Freedomtown riots took place on 11 August 1980 when hundreds of Cuban refugees began rioting at a detention center (nicknamed "Freedomtown") under the Interstate 95 in Downtown Miami in Florida, United States, burning tents and attacking immigration and nationalization guards with pipes, sticks, and rocks. The riots came after the 15 April-31 October 1980 Mariel Boatlift led to thousands of Cuban prisoners being released to America by Fidel Castro, with the Cuban refugees being forced into crowded detention facilities while awaiting naturalization. The riots were later put down by police and men with firehoses, and Cuban official Emilio Rebenga was killed during the riots.