A group photo of the participants
*Photos by Paul W. Wang
Condemns Petrick’s Facebook Posts
10/3/18 Press Conference
By: Katherine Massopust and Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Mayor Wilda Diaz called for a press conference on 10/3/18 at City Hall Circle to condemn Council President William Petrick for Facebook posts that she found offensive. She called for Petrick’s resignation as a Councilman.
Diaz began speaking, “As the City of Perth Amboy, we are addressing negative comments against the City of Perth Amboy. It’s t social media in the most negative way. Many Latinos have made a home in New Jersey. It’s why we are so outraged. We as a community cannot be portrayed in such a negative way.
Patricia Campos Medina, President of Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE)PAC of NJ came up to speak at the podium, “Thank you, Wilda Diaz for having the courage to come out. When women run for office, it’s to make for the common good, for children, for the community. We have actively opposed Donald Trump. We have been constant that kind of language does not belong in Perth Amboy. It’s bad enough Donald Trump does not behave appropriately. It’s important for women not to be devalued. We at this moment are proud to be Democrats. Although my organization is bipartisan, I’m a Democrat. As a progressive Democrat, I’m appalled to see this language. If you sit at he computer, you have to at some moment believe what you are displaying on the computer. Trump and Right-Wing Republican blame women and immigrants for the problems in our country. Bill Petrick has to be held responsible and he should resign immediately. He objectively has disparaged women and it’s disgraceful. A misogynist and a racist can be nice to you, but hide their true beliefs.What Petrick did hurt the community and children. William Petrick needs to know we will not stand quiet until he resigns!”
Former Mayor’s Aide to Wilda Diaz, Hector Bonilla came up to speak, “In 1923, the KKK came here (Perth Amboy). They were enemies of Perth Amboy. The people of Perth Amboy stood up to them and kicked them out. In 1966 there was a lot of unrest, and many Puerto Ricans and Dominicans fought in the army to defend the United States. There were riots (in Perth Amboy) in 1988 when comments were made about Mexicans that were obscene. We have to say something. We cannot tolerate that kind of rhetoric in Perth Amboy. Comments made by the White House against Mexicans were terrible. In Chicago, there were some people attacked or raising the American Flag. This opens up floodgates for you to be attacked. Comments were shameful and hurtful. This is not new – it’s continuous. The picture shown was of the Dominican Republic. We are residents of the City and Country and we cannot tolerate these comments. This is not new. It continues. Last night (10/2/18), President Trump – he belittled her (Dr. Christine Blasey Ford). The President used the same rhetoric against Ford as he did to the African-Americans falsely accused of rape. We cannot tolerate him (Trump) anymore.”
Resident Maria Peralta speaks at the Press Conference
Mayor Janice Kovach of Clinton, NJ spoke next, “Here we are in 2018 and still dealing with sexist remarks. This concerns me. I’m a survivor of Domestic Violence. You must talk to your family about racist remarks. You must call them out because if happened to you, you would want the support from your family and community. I’ve been friends with Wilda for years and she’s never been part of the “Good Old Boys”club. There has been an opposition to hold everyone accountable. We may not be able to fix Washington’s sexist, racist behavior – we have no room for that. The only way change will happen is up to all of you!”
Mayor Diaz came back up to speak, “I’m glad to work with these statewide leaders. I was chastised for being the one bringing forth these comments that were made from 2016-2018 which degraded Haiti and the Dominican Republic. There’s lots of families here in Perth Amboy from the Dominican Republic. They come here to work and are part of the community. One post was from 1/14/18 and is a new post. Petrick completely abused his position! I’m a woman and a mother and a now a grandmother. I’m going to fight for the women now and of the future. We have a lot of women who built this country. I will not tolerate this. It disconnects the community. I gave Petrick time to think about this and I’m asking for Petrick to resign. They’re not going to use us, discard us and disrespect our community. It will spread to other communities. The is President is spreading this and it’s not okay. We work hard and contribute tho this country. If we allow them to get away with this – just because the President says this, doesn’t mean it’s right. Our families work hard and that’s the American Dream. As Americans, everyone should be treated equally! We cannot stay silent! Had it been a Republican, you’d see a crowd from all over New Jersey here in City Hall Circle. Thank you for coming out.”
One woman at the press conference came up to speak, “I’ve had a business here for 23 years. Many people have come here (Perth Amboy) to do business here. What is their (the Council’s) duty? They’re only looking for problems by not doing anything in this town. I want to tell you about this. They earn a salary in that role. I ask them to fix problems – not create problems. We can take care of that in November! They like to take credit for what Wilda Diaz does. We need to be open and everyone to know we are equal.”
One question was asked of Mayor Diaz during the Q&A period by a reporter, “Do you feel that all Republicans are racists?”
Diaz answered, “Not all Republicans are misogynists and racists, but the far right are.”
Listening to the Speakers
