Roberto González Nieves, archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico, known as on former President Trump to apologize personally for comic Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke evaluating Puerto Rico to “a floating island of garbage.”
In an “open letter” addressed to the previous president, the archbishop stated he “consulted with my brother bishops of Puerto Rico” and was “dismayed and appalled” by Hinchcliffe’s joke, which the controversial comic delivered Sunday at Trump’s Madison Sq. Backyard rally forward of the GOP presidential nominee’s speech.
“I call upon you, Mr. Trump, to disavow these comments as reflecting in any way your personal or political viewpoints,” the letter reads. “It is not sufficient for your campaign to apologize. It is important that you, personally, apologize for these comments.”
Hinchcliffe, who goes by Kill Tony, has confronted vital backlash from figures throughout the political aisle since delivering the joke. His set additionally included jokes concentrating on Jews and Black males, however it was his feedback about Puerto Rico that generated essentially the most consideration and criticism.
“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. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” Hinchcliffe stated on stage Sunday, eliciting combined reactions from the group. The comic has additionally defended his remarks amid scrutiny.
The archbishop sharply pushed again on Hinchcliffe’s remarks in his open letter.
“Puerto Rico shouldn’t be a floating island of rubbish. Puerto Rico is a good looking nation inhabited by a good looking and noble folks, which is why in Spanish it’s known as ‘un encanto, un edén’,” he wrote. “Extra Puerto Rican troopers died within the Vietnam Struggle as a part of america army than troopers from any state of america.”
“I enjoy a good joke,” González Nieves continued. “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.”
He added, “These sorts of remarks shouldn’t be part of the political discourse of a civilized society.”
The Hill has reached out to the Trump marketing campaign for a response.
