If Donald Trump’s recent anti-Latino rhetoric was an attempt at gaining electoral ground among U.S. conservatives, the backlash appears to have united the country’s large and diverse Latino population against the billionaire-turned-politician.
Weeks after Trump labeled U.S.-Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, Latino leaders and artists in the United States are standing up to the “the Donald.”
“You've said some pretty offensive things about Latino immigrants recently,” U.S.- Honduran actress America Ferrera wrote in a letter addressed to the Republican presidential candidate published in the Huffington Post. “I'm writing to say thank you! Remarks like yours will serve brilliantly to energize Latino voters and increase turnout on election day against you and any other candidate who runs on a platform of hateful rhetoric,” added the ‘Ugly Betty’ star.
Gina Rodriguez, the rising star of the TV series “Jane the Virgin,” praised Ferrera’s letter, saying in Instagram postthat “your words of truth and optimism on a terrible situation can move a community to showtheirpower!”
Colombia’s most famous singer Shakira also chimed in through social media, rallying her 100 million followers behind her stance against Trump.
This is a hateful and racist speech that attempts to divide a country that for years has promoted diversity and democracy! 1/2
— Shakira (@shakira)
June 30, 2015
No one living in this century should stand behind so much ignorance. 2/2 http://t.co/jsx0KHdmzO
— Shakira (@shakira)
June 30, 2015
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After the TV network NBC broke its ties with Donald Trump over his controversial statements, Latina actress and television producer Eva Longoria thanked NBC for “respecting the Latino community and all of those who were painted by the broad brush of Donald Trump."
Thank you @nbc for respecting the Latino community and all of those who were painted by the broad brush of Donald Tr… http://t.co/9yUhAtMGhB
— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria)
June 30, 2015
The Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin also addressed Trump over Twitter, telling the real estate mogul that he has “a lot of hate and ignorance in (his) heart.”
Mucho odio e ignorancia en tu corazón @realDonaldTrump. #LatinosUnidos
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin)
June 25, 2015