Tag Archive: Offensive

  1. Advocacy group delivers 400 tacos to East Haven

    Leave a Comment

    Craving some tacos? Check out East Haven Town Hall.

    After East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo mentioned that he “might have tacos” when asked what he would do to support the city’s Latino residents, advocacy group Reform Immigration for America (RIFA) launched a texting campaign urging upset citizens to text “TACO” to 69866 — in return, the group said it would deliver a taco to the mayor’s office as a sign of protest.

    Sure enough, representatives from Junta for Progressive Action, a branch of RIFA, delivered an extra large order of 400 tacos to the city’s Town Hall Thursday afternoon. Maturo was not present to accept the gift.

    It doesn’t look like Maturo will get to savor all 400 tacos. Junta members said in an interview with the New Haven Register that they intended to leave one taco behind for Maturo and donate the rest to the less fortunate.

  2. East Haven mayor might get tacos, after all

    Leave a Comment

    East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo may just be getting what he asked for: tacos.

    The Campaign to Reform Immigration for America, a national organization that seeks to influence U.S. immigration policy, launched a Facebook and Twitter campaign against the mayor. The organization said it would send tacos to the mayor’s office this week if angry citizens texted “TACO” to 69866.

    Maturo drew criticism earlier today when he said he “might have tacos” when he goes home after a reporter asked him how he planned to help the Latino community. The controversy follows the recent arrest of four local police officers accused of mistreating East Haven’s Latino residents.

    After the incident, Maturo issued a public apology and established a new advisory panel to recommend policy changes to the Board of Police Commissioners. Still, hundreds are calling for his resignation.

  3. East Haven mayor in trouble over “taco” comment

    Leave a Comment

    Mayor Joseph Maturo of East Haven came under fire Wednesday for telling a television reporter that he “might have tacos” following questions regarding how he would support the Latino community.

    His comments come after the Tuesday arrest of four town police officers accused of systematic mistreatment of the city’s Latino residents. Federal officials announced that the four officers were charged with multiple counts of excessive force, false arrest, obstruction and conspiracy.

    In an interview with MSNBC, Gov. Dannel Malloy said Maturo’s comments were “repugnant” and “unacceptable.” Others called for Maturo’s resignation.

    Maturo issued a public statement Wednesday, apologizing for his “insensitive and off-collar comment.”

    “Unfortunately, I let the stress of the situation get the best of me and inflamed what is already a serious and unfortunate situation,” he said. “I am dedicated to the principles of tolerance and acceptance of all and will do all that I can to foster those principles in the daily execution of my duties as mayor.”

    Maturo added that his administration has already started the “healing process,” commissioning a new advisory panel to recommend policy changes to the Board of Police Commissioners and appointing community volunteer Jose Velasquez to the panel.

    A Facebook group created Wednesday titled “East Haven Taxpayers Calling for Mayor Maturo to Resign” garnered over 200 likes as of Wednesday afternoon.

    The controversial remarks come at about 1:35 of the video below:

    Maturo: "I might have tacos"

    Watch the original video here.