AFT Leaders on Trump Rally’s Racist Attacks on Puerto Rico, Latinos

NEW YORK-AFT President Randi Weingarten and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus issued the following statement after speakers at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally insulted Puerto Rico and attacked Latinos. The AFT's affiliate Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (AMPR) represents more than 40,000 educators on the island.

"The Trump campaign's racist hate was on full, disgraceful display tonight. Dark, narcissistic smears and rank fearmongering have no place in America-and should be disqualifying for any candidate for office.

"There is a pattern and a practice of Trump and his allies attacking people and cities of color: The disparagement of Puerto Rico and Latinos comes after similar insults and lies leveled at Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

"Let's show each other, and the world, that divisive, dehumanizing, discriminatory and dangerous rage is not who Americans are-and cast our votes accordingly."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.