Res. No. 1123 Title Resolution calling upon NBC to apologize for derogatory comments made regarding Dominicans and Mexicans. Body By Council Members Rivera, Lopez, Martinez Monserrate, Barron, Boyland, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Gennaro, Gerson, Gonzalez, Jackson, Jennings, Liu, Recchia, Sanders, Seabrook, Sears, Vann, Weprin, Yassky and Quinn Whereas, On October 10, 2003 the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) aired an episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit that depicted Dominicans and Mexicans residing in New York as members of violent gangs who are the primary perpetrators of violent crimes; and Whereas, The episode went so far as to refer to Dominicans and Mexicans as "animals"; and Whereas, This is not the first instance where NBC has made such stereotypes in regards to New York City's Hispanic population; and Whereas, On January 24, 2001, NBC aired an episode of Law and Order, seen by 18 million viewers, which used the mayhem that took place after the 2000 National Puerto Rican Day Parade as a backdrop for a fictional murder; and Whereas, This episode portrayed all of the Latino characters involved as either criminals or as being uncooperative with police; and Whereas, In 1998, NBC aired an episode of Seinfeld in which the Puerto Rican flag was burned; and Whereas, Following the airing of the episode activists of the Puerto Rican community held protests which ultimately resulted in NBC issuing an apology; and Whereas, NBC continues to negatively depict the Latino community of New York City and the New York City Council firmly denounces these types of actions; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon NBC to apologize for derogatory comments made regarding Dominicans and Mexicans. MF:bg LS#3423 10/21/03 |10
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