Some voices not reported in Trump rally story

Posted 3/30/17

To the Editor: I am writing to express my disappointment in the article run in yesterday's paper covering the Trump rally and counter-protest that occurred on Saturday. The article quoted Trump supporters and the organizer John DePetro with extremely

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Some voices not reported in Trump rally story

Posted

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my disappointment in the article run in yesterday's paper covering the Trump rally and counter-protest that occurred on Saturday.

The article quoted Trump supporters and the organizer John DePetro with extremely derogatory and inflammatory statements about counter-protesters. It did not put any attempt into looking into the validity of these statements. It just left the painted picture of smelly, trashy and terrible people as counter-protesters. It did not include the vile quotes from DePetro given publicly from the State House steps regarding minorities and immigrants in Rhode Island (please feel free to see RI Future's coverage which has full videos and quotes of these statements), though it did quote his demeaning caricature of the counter-protesters.

It did not quote the Trump supporters who were shouting White Power and giving Nazi salutes at the rally. Nor did it examine the local hate groups who were part of the Trump supporter contingent.

I was not present at the counter-protest. However, I know many fine Rhode Islanders who were, and the article you allowed to be printed in your paper was insulting to them. It would have taken minimal work to correct the record. There were multiple organizations involved in organizing the counter-protest and the article should have reflected the very real reasons they did so.

I know that I am not the only person reaching out to the paper and reporter regarding this, and I hope to see a follow-up to set the record straight.

It was extremely disappointing to open up the paper I subscribe to and see such unprofessional and inflammatory journalism.

Kathleen Ogni

Editor’s note: Tessa Roy, who reported the story, offered the following response: Since I was covering a different event happening at the State House at the same time of this rally, I understand this story was not as complete as it could have been. I heard from many people who felt hurt by the story, and the criticism of it (this letter is a pretty thorough representation of what many people told us I failed to document that day) is an opportunity for some reflection. The Beacon always encourages sending letters to the editor, and in this case especially, I’m thankful for those, including readers Kathleen Ogni and Jackie Waits, who reached out to the paper and other outlets. I am disappointed for not managing to include the counter-protesters in the story, but I’ve definitely listened to the feedback provided. I will not forget what happened here and will make an effort to better include more voices in my stories.

Comments

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  • Katfrye

    I am glad that the feedback was received and Tessa Roy personally responded. We all make mistakes and people willing to take feedback and responsibility are the ones who learn and improve. Many do not have the character to take constructive feedback and publicly acknowledge an error, so Kudos to Tessa Roy on that front.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • davebarry109

    Your contention that there were hate groupswere present and giving nazi salutes is not supported by footage. Do you have such footage? You are clearly just lying to muddy the waters for people who didn't see the videos or who weren't there. Calling people racist doesn't work anymore. You've exhausted that card.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Katfrye

    Link to one video

    https://youtu.be/7MOvXHrxCAw

    There are multiple other videos and eyewitness accounts.

    As the letter says please refer to RI Futures coverage of the rally and counter protest.

    I do not know if you are genuinely interested in the facts but if you are there is plenty of evidence available to support these claims.

    I wish you were correct and we did not have white supremacist groups and Neo-Nazis in this state spreading their hateful ideology. Unfortunately you are not correct and ignoring them or pretending it is not the facts will not make them do away.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Katfrye

    Tweet from the RI chapter of American Vanguard regarding their attendance at rally, an openly fascist and white supremacist group.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/RhodeIslandAV/status/845688153419780096

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Your an idiot, he did not give a nazi salute and he did not say hile hitler.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Farmqueen

    Hey davebarry and the captain.

    https://youtu.be/AbKtmLmRd4I

    Here's another video of white supremacy at this rally. Take note that you can hear stacia huyler telling my friend he's a coward, but behind that you can also hear the man in the brown jacket repeatedly yell "white power" as well as openly admitting TWICE that yes, he is in fact saying "white power".

    I'm the person in the red jacket and Chevy cap and can attest that I saw and heard the man in the brown jacket as well as the young man in the trump shirt (who repeatedly yells "this is our land") make nazi salutes and repeat the phrase "white power!" many times, as well as openly admitting to being a white nationalist (aka nazi).

    To Tessa, thank you for being humble and honest. The kind of journalism we need is from someone who admits when they have failed and commits to doing a better job next time. Much respect to you.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    You are truly delusional, and most likely on welfare.

    Thursday, March 30, 2017 Report this

  • Stella

    I have become suspect of individuals in a crowd like this. Are they like a plant in a magic show? Or the counter protesters that insight violence who wear the black mask and hoods. Let stop and focus on the majority and not the fruitcakes. Besides maybe the the guy is a white power nut, I guess he had the right to march. That does not make him the poster boy of the day.

    Friday, March 31, 2017 Report this

  • Katfrye

    Stella-

    More than one person giving Nazi salute. Person yelling white power. No one near them on their side has a word to say to them. I am fairly tolerant of opposing views, I don't know about you but if someone associated with my movement was yelling white power and giving the Nazi salute I would be irate!

    White nationalists kill more Americans in domestic terrorist attacks then any other group, I do not take their presence lightly. Ignoring them only allows them to radicalize more people and for their ideology to spread unfortunately. Perhaps if those around Dylan Roof and James Jackson took their white power talk more seriously their victims would still be here.

    The organizer of the rally says in his speech to build a wall around Central Falls, that in Olneyvile raid there were 300 Mario Hilarios, and that immigrants hate Water Fire because they can't wash their clothes or fish in the river then.

    Yet the article in question does not mention any of it despite the fact that the xenophobic racism of host and supporters was a significant reason for the counter protest. Nor did it get quotes from any of the counter protesters despite the main thrust of article being quotes demeaning and insulting them by DePetro and other rally attendees. Pointing this fact out does not make anyone the poster boy, it corrects the record on an inaccurate piece of journalism. It also refuses to allow white supremacism to be normalized by ignoring those who publicly promote it as just white power kooks, instead of the terrorists they are.

    Friday, March 31, 2017 Report this

  • mthompsondc

    Class response.

    Saturday, April 1, 2017 Report this