Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
City officials and members of Puerto Ricans United on steps of City Hall.
The hate-fueled actions of the shootings in El Paso and Dayton this week, and now a threatening Facebook post even closer to home, sparked city officials and members of Puerto Ricans United to promote diversity and hope on the steps of City Hall.
Members of Puerto Ricans United were joined by Mayor Toni Harp, New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes, and State Sen. Martin Looney Thursday afternoon to raise the Puerto Rican flag above City Hall and announce festivities planned for Saturday.
The plan was to use a flagpole. But the flagpole was broken. So participants proceeded to Plan B: Putting the flag above the main door of City Hall.
Puerto Rican flag above City Hall.
The fourth annual New Haven Puerto Rican festival will take place on Saturday from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the Green despite a menacing facebook post.
Officials discussed plans for the event at Thursday’s gathering. They also discussed a Facebook posting.
On Wednesday, the Facebook profile listed as “Jake Wilson” commented on a WTNH profile of the festival: “This is why we need 30 round magazines.” Other commenters alerted police, who now said they believe the profile is a fake and the work of an internet troll looking to spark fear.
Reyes said the department is investigating the post, and will bring in extra officers for the festival.
“Even though this is a cowardly person who wants to spread hate, we are not taking this lightly and we will make sure we do everything we can to hold that person responsible,” Reyes said.
Chief Otoniel Reyes.
“That said, this amounts to nothing more than hateful rhetoric. There is nothing the public should be concerned about that poses a threat to this weekend’s events.”
“I want to say how proud I am to be a Puerto Rican male today and that we are celebrating and bringing attention to the aspects of our beautiful culture” Reyes added.
The festival will feature over six bands, multiple food trucks, art vendors, and kid-friendly activities from the Fire Department. Puerto Ricans United President Joseph Rodriguez said the group has been planning the festival since last year’s ended. “This year, we’re hoping we will have a larger turn out with an expression of solidarity,” he said.
PRU President Joseph Rodriguez.
“We are here to show we are a passionate, caring people and we refuse to live in fear. As a Puerto Rican community, and as a New Haven community, in the presence of hate we respond with love. In the presence of division we respond with unity.”
Mayor Harp.
Harp harkened on the message of unity and peace as the main theme for Saturday’s festival. “We are a city that embraces all different cultures from all parts of the world. On a national level, I remain committed to the idea that the United States is meant to be a nation that embraces diversity among its residents” Harp said.
“As we all know that ideal is being challenged today with ominous repercussions. The United States and Puerto Rico share a profound respect and love for freedom, opportunity, and peace.”
Senator Martin Looney.
Looney spoke about the significance of Saturday’s festival in the face of national divisiveness. “There are rich contributions made in our city everyday by people who come from all over the world. And unfortunately at the national level, we’re seeing a failure to understand our history, appreciate our culture, and what is in many ways a repudiation of American values,” he said.
PRU members and city officials sing Puerto Rican national anthem.
“This weekend’s celebration points out something wonderful and valuable about the city of New Haven. We celebrate all our cultures here and the many contributions that Puerto Ricans have made to the history of the city, to its life, energy, workforce, intellectual activities, music, and everything the community values.”