Herald Staff Report

 Three rallies are scheduled for this weekend, all in response to the tensions after the removal of Elian Gonzalez from his Miami relatives' home.

 On Saturday, a rally organized by Citizens United for a Better Community will be held at 1 p.m. at the corner of U.S. 1 and Kendall Drive (Southwest 88th Street) in Kendall. Organizers say the rally is intended to encourage open dialogue, an appreciation of cultural diversity and respect for the founding principles of the United States, with an aim toward mending the community.

 A second rally, described by organizers as a peaceful demonstration for ``Americans in Miami, Fla., who are proud of their country and their flag,'' will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at U.S. 1 and Southwest 224th Street, at Cauley Square in South Dade. Participants are urged to bring flags and signs.

 On Sunday, a third rally organized by people who support Attorney General Janet Reno, Miami City Manager Donald Warshaw, former Miami Police Chief William O'Brien and the Miami Police Department will be held at 11 a.m. at Kendall Drive and Southwest 137th Avenue.

 The rallies have sprung up spontaneously as a response to months of demonstrations by Miami Cuban-Americans fighting to keep 6-year-old rafter Elian Gonzalez in the United States. While many counterdemonstrators don't believe that the exile community's demonstrations violate the law, they do feel that Elian's Miami family broke the law by refusing to turn over the boy when Reno demanded it.

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald