Lawmakers and other leaders have expressed outrage over comments made at former President Donald Trump's rally in New York over the weekend. The rally began with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe making derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico, referring to it as a 'floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.' He also made offensive comments about Latinos and their family size.
Democratic New York Rep. Nydia Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House, denounced the comments as 'racist, vile, and reprehensible.' She emphasized that the remarks showed a lack of understanding and respect for the Puerto Rican and Latino communities.
Rep. Dan Goldman, who represents a significant Puerto Rican population in Manhattan, directly blamed Trump for the offensive remarks, highlighting that they were made at his rally. He stated that such incidents reveal Trump's stance on issues related to race and ethnicity.
Jorge Figueroa, the president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, described the comments as 'very disrespectful' and emphasized that they have no place in politics. Marcos Vilar, the executive director of Alianza for Progress, criticized Trump for engaging in a pattern of bullying behavior over the years.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for greater respect and understanding of diverse communities. Leaders have underscored the importance of combating racism and discrimination in all forms, particularly in political discourse.
