LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Puerto Ricans and other Americans alike are outraged around the country after inflammatory remarks were made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at former President Trump's rally in Madison Square Garden.
Pennsylvania has a large Puerto Rican population concentrated in cities including Philadelphia and Allentown. Some Puerto Ricans have settled in Lackawanna county, like Leonel Mendez.
Leonel Mendez spoke to Newswatch 16's Valeria Quiñones in Spanish. He says he was hurt by the comments because they were offensive to not only Puerto Rico but every Puerto Rican on the mainland and in the United States.
Mendez and his wife own La Pura Cepa, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Dickson City.
Although the couple says they do not endorse any candidate, they did not appreciate the jokes made by Hinchcliffe.
Mendez's wife and co-owner of La Pura Cepa, Suheily Echevarria, says, "But since the jokes were made towards Puerto Ricans, and we are kind of humorous people, he doesn't see it [like it was] that bad, but as a Puerto Rican, it was extremely disrespectful."
I spoke with fellow Puerto Ricans in Scranton who say the jokes were not only distasteful but an offense to all of America and what it represents: a united nation for all.
Iris Cruz serves Puerto Rican dishes from her food truck on Keyser Avenue in Scranton. She spoke to Newswatch 16's Valeria Quiñones in Spanish as well. She says no country or place should be addressed in that way. No matter what political party you agree with, we are all humans, and we are all united. In politics, everyone just needs to be united.>
"I don't think he would be happy if we joked about where he is coming from or his country. I don't think he is going to be happy if we joke about that. So, I feel like he should be on that side. Be comprehensive about what type of jokes can actually be said," Echevarria says.
President Biden also caused controversy when he was asked to comment on the comedian's remarks. Some people felt the President called supporters of Donald Trump garbage. A white house spokesperson said Biden was actually referring to what was said at the rally as garbage.