Controversial comments at Trump rally spark mixed feelings amongst Latino community
by LEANNA FAULK, NBC 10 NEWS
For some, it was just a bad joke, but for others, the comments at Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday sparked mixed feelings across the Latino community in Rhode Island.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” said comedianTony Hinchcliffe. “Yeah, I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
For many Puerto Ricans in Rhode Island, it was hard to ignore.
“There’s a fine line between humor and being disrespectful. And I think that crossed the line,” saidChristopher Rafael Jopis Osorio, the head of the Puerto Rican Professional Association of Rhode Island.
Rafael, a Dominican man who’s owned a food truck in Providence for 25 years, said it hits at the heart of all Latinos.
“It’s disrespectful towards us Latin people. We come here to work, to contribute to this country’s economy and we are not trash,” said Rafael.
Not everyone though, took it personally.
Community members spoke with NBC 10. (WJAR)
“Trump is good. Honestly he did a couple good things,” said Jose Goncales.
Goncales said while he didn’t like the comment, it won’t change who he’s voting for on Nov. 5.
A representative for Trump’s campaign said the jokes made by Hinchcliffe are not a reflection of the former president.