.jpeg)
Archbishop Roberto González of San Juan, Puerto Rico, wrote a public letter requestion former president Donald Trump to apologize to Puerto Ricans for comments by commedian Tony Hinchcliffe who spoke at the Oct. 27 rally at Madison Square Garden. The event took place in an arena in Manhattan, New York City. He told several jokes, one of which mocked Puerto Rico. “I don’t know if you guys know this,” Hinchcliffe said. “But there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now.” “Yeah, I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” he said.
"I make a respectful call to clarify that these comments do not reflect in any way your personal or political views," said the Archbishop Roberto on behalf of the bishops of Puerto Rico following the statements about the island at a political event by former President Trump. The Trump campaign distanced itself from the remarks on Puerto Rico made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. "The garbage he spoke about is polluting our elections and confirming just how little Donald Trump cares about Latinos specifically, about our Puerto Rican community," said Eddie Moran, mayor of Reading, at a news conference with other Puerto Rican officials. (FULL TEXT Letter below the Video)
PRESS RELEASE:OPEN LETTER TO DONALD J.TRUMP
Mr. Donald J. Trump - Former President of the United States of America
Dear Mr. Trump:
Having consulted with my brother bishops of Puerto Rico,as Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico, I was dismayed and appalled by the comments made by the comedian, Tony Hinchcliffe, yesterday, Sunday, October 27,at your rally at Madison Square Garden.
Hinchcliffe said, "There's a lot going on, like, I don't know if you know this but there's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. Yeah, I think it's called Puerto Rico".
Puerto Rico is not a floating island of garbage. Puerto Rico is a beautiful country inhabited by a beautiful and noble people, which is why in Spanish it is called "un encanto,un edén".More Puerto Rican soldiers died in the Vietnam War as part of the United States military than soldiers from any state of the United States.
l enjoy a good joke. However, humor has its limits. It should not insult or denigrate the dignity and sacredness of people. Hinchcliffe's remarks do not only provoke sinister laughter but hatred. These kinds of remarks do not have a place in a society founded upon "liberty and justice for all."
Hinchcliffe's remarks do not promote a climate of equality, fraternity and good will among and for all women and men of every race, color and way of life which is the foundation of the American dream. These kinds of remarks should not be a part of the political discourse of a civilized society.
I call upon you, Mr. Trump, to disavow these comments as reflecting in any way your personal or political viewpoints.
It is not sufficient for your campaign to apologize. It is important that you, personally, apologize for these comments.
May you be blessed with wisdom. Sincerely yours
Roberto O.González Nieves, OFM - Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico
Comments