From CNN Havana Bureau Chief Lucia
                  Newman

                  HAVANA, Cuba (CNN)-- For nearly four decades, Cubans have
                  protested against U.S. policy before the United Nations and any other
                  international forum that will listen.

                  Now the campaign for the return of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez has
                  inspired a place for a permanent protest -- at home in Havana.

                  The boy's mother drowned trying to smuggle Elian into the United States.
                  The boy was rescued at sea November 25 after clinging to an inner tube for
                  two days. He has been staying with relatives in Miami who do not want him
                  to return to Cuba, a situation that has produced widespread protests in
                  Cuba and a political dilemma for the U.S. government.

                  Officials in Havana say that even after the boy is returned to Cuba -- and
                  they're confident he will be -- protests will continue as long as the United
                  States continues what Havana calls criminal acts of political and economic
                  aggression.

                  At least for now, the sounds of building have replaced the chants of protesters
                  in front of the U.S. compound in Havana.

                  Construction crews are working around the clock to convert the area known
                   as "Fourth of July Park" into a permanent outdoor stage for demonstrations.

                  Many locals say they'll miss the fountain that was there before but are
                  resigned to the change.

                  "They took away the little park that was so pretty, but they say they're
                  going to build something better," said one woman.

                  While the protest park is being prepared, Cuban officials denounce attempts
                  in the United States to award Elian U.S. citizenship. They say it is
                  tantamount to stealing the boy's Cuban nationality.

                  "For almost two months, he has been arbitrarily separated from his father
                  and his four grandparents," said Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba's
                  parliament.

                  Youngster enjoys school holiday

                  On Wednesday, a petition is expected to be filed in federal court in Miami
                  seeking a hearing on the issue of political asylum for the boy.

                  To get such a hearing, lawyers for the boy's Miami relatives must convince a
                  federal judge that they have standing in the case.

                  The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, backed by Attorney
                  General Janet Reno, has decided the boy's father in Cuba is the only one
                  who may legally speak for his son on immigration matters.

                  However, Juan Miguel Gonzalez has declined requests to come to the
                  United States either to bring his son home or to reconsider his insistence
                  that the boy return to Cuba.

                  The Miami relatives' lawyers, in effect, are trying to get the court to overturn
                  the INS decision by showing that Elian would face persecution,
                  psychological and possibly physical harm if sent back to Cuba.

                  A state court already has granted the boy's great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez,
                  temporary custody of the child.

                  In the meantime, Cuba's complaints will soon have a permanent place to be
                  heard.