HARTFORD — Local radio DJ Gary Craig has come under fire after he made offensive comments during a visit to last weekend’s Hartford Latino Fest. He posted the video on YouTube, but later deleted it.
Now, the Hispanic Health Council is calling for his resignation and for a public apology from the his station, 95.6 WTIC-FM.
On Wednesday, WTIC-FM and Craig both released apologies for the video. Craig has been off the air since, planning to return Tuesday, July 5.
In a statement Friday, Jose Ortiz, President and CEO of the Hispanic Health Council said, “More than ever, we are at a time when the diversity that makes our state so rich must be embraced. There is no place for the kind of destructive, racist and divisive messages that Mr. Craig has disseminated in the role of a journalist. In doing so, he has shown himself to be unfit for the role he plays. The Hispanic Health Council calls for WTIC to do the responsible things – remove Mr. Craig and his show, apologize publicly to the state, and take active steps toward making WTIC a culturally competent station that supports and embraces the diverse communities of our state.”
The video in question features Craig walking around making comments and incorrectly identifying the flag of Puerto Rico as the flag of Cuba.
“Gary’s video was inappropriate and was not in line with our station’s values," WTIC-FM said in a statement to FOX 61 Wednesday. "We are taking this matter seriously and have communicated to Gary that there is no place for this type of content on our station.”
Craig, also issued a statement, saying, “I would like to take the time to address the video I made at last weekend’s Latino Festival. I recognize that it was a poor attempt at being humorous. It was insensitive and stupid, and I sincerely apologize."
“Gary Craig's video is repulsive and bizarre,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “I was at the riverfront Saturday afternoon, and the festival was everything I love about our city: people of all different backgrounds coming together at our beautiful riverfront to celebrate the dance, music and food of one of our largest and most vibrant cultural communities here in Hartford. CBS Local Media, the owner of 96.5 TIC FM, should get this trash off of their website."
The station is owned by CBS Radio and is located in Farmington. Craig has been on the station for decades and hosts an annual Christmas party for children in need.
