Connecticut leaders and Puerto Rican community respond to racist comments at Trump rally

(WFSB) – The Puerto Rican community and leaders in Connecticut are expressing outrage over racist remarks made at Donald Trump’s rally on Sunday.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who spoke as a spokesman at the rally held at Madison Square Garden in New York, called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage”, which caused significant backlash.

Juan Ortiz, a New Britain resident and native of Puerto Rico, attended his first anti-Trump rally on Sunday.

He knows there is a large Puerto Rican population there. Do you think if he knew it was part of his script, he would allow it? asked Ortiz.

The Trump campaign says it is distancing itself from Hinchcliffe and saying the joke does not reflect Trump’s views.

Kay Muñoz of the Connecticut Latino Caucus condemned the remarks, emphasizing the importance of voting.

“They know how Latinos can influence the vote, and now we need them. So, my Latinos, vote like your life depends on it, because it does. Because now we know what they think about you,” Munoz said.

The Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus also issued a statement condemning the hateful rhetoric at the rally.

The statement expresses disappointment that such fearmongering continues and recalls Trump’s previous inflammatory comments regarding Haitian immigrants.

The statement also referenced other remarks made at the rally: “During the event, speakers selected by the former president’s campaign called Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage,’ made racist remarks about Jews and black Americans, and suggested that Kamala Harris – the first black woman to serve as vice president was a prostitute.”

House Speaker Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas echoed those sentiments, saying, “We stand with the Legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and the Latino Caucus in condemning the racist rally by Donald Trump and his supporters.”

Candidates for Connecticut’s 5th District are also weighing in on the issue.

“Everyone, not just the Puerto Rican community, should be both saddened and upset by Trump’s behavior at this rally. I am not surprised, as I have witnessed Donald Trump attack other groups, dehumanize migrants, and create an environment where this rhetoric is met with applause from an arena full of people. We should all just say enough. I continue to struggle to understand attempts to normalize this behavior by those who support someone vying for the highest position in government.”

Republican George Logan, who has not said whether he is voting for Trump for president, posted on X (formerly Twitter):

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