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Trump-inspired Hate Hits the Santa Fe Plaza
Longtime Plaza vendors say they're facing hostility from gun-toting manRoque Garcia is an institution on the Santa Fe Plaza. For nearly 30 years, he has served up steaming hot carnitas. His lunchtime regulars include many of the shop owners, bank clerks and other locals who work in the establishments surrounding the public square.
"Roque is a legend. He's been on this street so long, he practically IS this street," a museum security guard calls out in passing as he leaves Roque's Carnita Stand on his way back to work.
But for Garcia, this year has been more difficult than most. Garcia says his sense of belonging on the historic square has been called into question by strangers with more regularity than in the past.
"People been changing in the last year and a half, now people are asking where I'm from," says Garcia, shaking his head in indignation. He repeats the sentiment again under his breath, almost to himself. "These people don't know me. They don't know my family. Used to be no one would ask you something like that. Everything has changed here in Santa Fe."
Read more: https://www.sfreporter.com/news/2019/08/14/trump-inspired-hate-hits-the-plaza/
(Santa Fe Reporter)
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Mayor Responds to Plaza Harassment
SFR's Thursday report about a gun-toting man's intimidation of Plaza vendors prompted a response from Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber on social media later that day.
"We are investigating allegations regarding an individual allegedly confronting or harassing vendors or people he believes to be minorities who are on the Plaza. Right now, we're in the process of gathering more information from a variety of sources, from the City Attorney's Office to the Police Department," read the mayor's post.
To date, the post has received 253 comments, and Webber says the city has been fielding calls from constituents who are concerned about gun safety.
However, in an interview with SFR earlier today, Webber clarified that the city's inquiry into the matter does not constitute a formal police investigation because police records show there have been no charges filed against the man.
Read more: https://www.sfreporter.com/news/2019/08/16/mayor-responds-to-plaza-harassment/
