The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘We will respond with unity’
Puerto Rican festival to go on despite online threat
NEW HAVEN — The annual Puerto Rican Festival will go on as planned this weekend, after community members rallied in the face of a threat of violence raised on social media.
A Facebook profile bearing the name “Jake Wilson” commented on the post for a story about the festival by WTNH Wednesday, saying that the gathering was why “we need 30 round magazines.”
Those commenting quickly reacted with concern and vehement anger, including tagging a series of city and law enforcement officials on Facebook.
“The comment was disgusting, the community deals with enough out here, to threaten or joke in that manner shortly after we’re reading all over the news about what happened in Dayton & El Paso is sick,” said Tammara J. Acevedo in a message after the incident. “Whoever he is I hope they find him, because comments like that, they regularly go unnoticed. Then when something evil or bad occurs everyone’s shocked. How many innocent lives have to be taken before enough is enough?”
Joe Rodriguez, head of Puerto Ricans United, which organizes the festival, said Thursday that New Haven police said the threat was not credible and the event would go on as planned.
“We, Puerto Ricans United, were made aware of the inappropriate and hateful comments that surfaced online. The comments were quickly reported to New Haven Police and it is being investigated. We have been
told by local police officials that the threat is not credible, though we will have a police presence at the park,” said Rodriguez in a statement.
“We, as an organization but more importantly as a community, the Puerto Rican community, will do what we do best and that is, in the presence of hate, we will respond with love, in the presence of division, we will respond with unity, and on Saturday we will stand up in solidarity for who we are and what we stand for as Puerto Ricans,” he said.
Alder Jose Crespo, D16, responded to the WTNH thread, posting that the matter had been reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The FBI did not immediately responded to a request for information Thursday regarding the threat or the response to it.
But Mayor Toni Harp said the Police Department “routinely reviews public safety requirements and protocol ahead of every event for which a city permit is issued, and is doing so ahead of Saturday’s event as part of its usual preparation.”
“Once that checklist is complete, the police will provide a security detail it determines will most suitably provide for the safety and enjoyment of those in attendance,” Harp said.
Police Department spokesman Capt. Anthony Duff also confirmed the agency is working with other city departments and event organizers in planning for the festival. He said learning about the social media comment “created concerns about this weekend’s event.”
“I am aware of the comment that was posted on social media referencing the Puerto Rican Festival on Saturday and have launched a full investigation,” Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said. “We are working closely with our federal, state and local partners, as we do for all major events, and have not identified any threat to the event.
“I encourage everyone to come out with their families to enjoy Saturday’s festivities on the New Haven Green,” Reyes said. “The NHPD looks forward to sharing in the celebration and will be working alongside our partners to ensure everyone at the event has a safe and enjoyable experience”
Kica Matos, a New Haven resident and social justice advocate, said she would not be bowed by the “vile and disgusting threat” and planned to attend the festival.
“The forces of hate have been unleashed in this nation, and they appear to be spreading. It is not surprising then, that a bigot would see fit to post such a vile and disgusting threat,” said Matos in an email.
“Our communities must not succumb to threats from white supremacists, and our law enforcement officers must do everything they can to serve and protect our communities, especially those who are directly threatened,” Matos said. “I for one plan to be at this festival, celebrating my Latina identity and my culture.”
Americans are still reeling in the wake of two mass shooting this weekend, one in El Paso, Texas, the other in Dayton, Ohio.
There have been 255 mass shootings in America so far in 2019, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.