Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz visited Vilma’s Kitchen, a popular Puerto Rican restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, addressing supporters and speaking out against recent comments targeting Puerto Rico. Walz criticized the remarks made during a comedian’s appearance at of Donald Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, calling the joke “incredibly hurtful” and “dangerous” given the current political climate.

“It wasn’t just pointless, it was incredibly painful,” Waltz he said to the gathered crowd. “And frankly, in the climate we’re in, it can be dangerous.” He described the incident as “another attempt to divide us”, urging voters to come together in the remaining days before the election.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is causing outrage

Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial joke about Puerto Rico set off a wave of reaction after referring to the island as “floating garbage island”. The remarks sparked calls for accountability and apologies from Donald Trump.

Advocating for a Puerto Rico strategy

Waltz also emphasized the need for a more focused federal approach to Puerto Rico, calling for what he described as a “Puerto Rico-specific strategy.” Drawing on his background as a former teacher, he emphasized the importance of educating Americans about Puerto Rico’s contributions to the US and the need for greater investment in the island.

“I say this as a teacher,” he noted, “we need to educate our American citizens about our fellow Puerto Ricans—why it’s important, why we’re investing there, and to understand how much the Puerto Rican community contributes. to all our states.”

Energizing voters for “A better tomorrow”

Waltz took the opportunity to rally supporters, stressing the importance of voter turnout. “This gives us the opportunity now, over the next five days, to energize people, to get out there and vote for a better tomorrow, that new way forward,” he said. Walz outlined key campaign priorities, including protecting access to healthcare, supporting manufacturing jobs, improving education and addressing gun violence.

Underscoring the Harris-Walz campaign’s commitment to these issues, he added, “We want to talk about the things people care about: access to health care, education and the prevention of gun violence.”

A vision for unity and stability

In closing, Walz shared his vision for a united America under a Harris presidency. “I’m just thinking how great it will be to wake up on Wednesday morning to have President Harrishe said. “To know that we must not have chaos, we must not have division.”

As the countdown to Election Day continues, Walz’s comments in Erie underscored his call for unity, urging voters to reject divisive rhetoric and vote for a future centered on shared progress.