The Meaning of the Latest Anti-Latino Hate Crime in Boston: More to Come?
Bill Hing blogged about the Donald Trump-inspired hate crime in Boston in which two men allegedly severely beat — and urinated on — a homeless Latino. One of the alleged attackers reportedly told police that the assault was acceptable because the man was Hispanic: “Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported,” he allegedly said. Click here and here for more on this story.
Trump’s response to the alleged hate crime at a press conference was troubling to say the least:
“I haven’t heard about that. It would be a shame, but I haven’t heard about that.” Trump added: “I will say that people who are following me are very passionate. They love this country and they want this country to be great again. They are passionate. I will say that, and everybody here has reported it.” (emphasis added).
This article from a couple of years ago considers the unfortunate relationship between hate crimes directed at Latinos and the fiery debate over immigration reform. With Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues turning up the heat in the divisive national debate over immigration, the nation can expect more incidents like that seen in Boston.
KJ