Miami expected to remain calm if Elian leaves U.S.

Only a few people appeared Wednesday outside the Miami home where Elian stayed for several months

MIAMI (CNN) -- Despite the prospect that Elian Gonzalez's stay in the United States could end Wednesday, authorities and Cuban-American leaders in Miami said they did not expect violence or major demonstrations.

Unless overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, a court order keeping the 6-year-old boy in the country expires at 4 p.m. EDT. By evening, Elian and his Cuban relatives -- now staying in the Washington area -- could be home.

Only a few people appeared Wednesday morning outside the Little Havana home where Elian lived for five months with his U.S. relatives before being forcibly removed by federal agents in April.

The neighborhood -- where crowds once shouted their contempt for Cuban President Fidel Castro -- was quiet.

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Although a small demonstration was expected at the Miami federal court building, there appears to be resignation among Cuban-Americans that what they feared most -- Elian's return to Cuba -- is about to happen.

And if it does, the community response is expected to be relatively peaceful.

"We abide by the law," Cuban-American activist Sylvia Iriondo told CNN. "We'll be very saddened thinking about what the child will have to encounter upon his return to Cuba. But we will continue our struggle, so there are no more children like Elian."

Correspondent Mark Potter contributed to this report.

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