calsfoundation@cals.org
May 22, 1980
Thirty Cuban refugees who had been sent to Fort Chaffee near Fort Smith (Sebastian County) for housing following a massive effort to find political asylum from Cuba attempted to leave. The refugees were not prisoners and were not subject to military restrictions, but they were not supposed to leave the fort. Two days earlier, twenty-one had left, and, the next week, more (newspaper reports said 350) left the fort through an unguarded gate. Governor Bill Clinton ordered the National Guard to assist local, county, and state police to prevent others from leaving. Unrest continued until June 2 when stronger security standards were issued, and a promise was made that no additional Cuban refugees would be sent to Arkansas.