NEWARK, NJ -- Maná rocked out in their only NYC area concert on Thursday in New Jersey’s Prudential Center where fans gathered to listen to the legendary Latin Rock band. And as in their recent concert in L.A., the Mexican group took time out of the performance to talk about The Donald.
“Welcome to the event to all my Anglo-Americans. Recently, a man named Donald Trump expressed himself so badly, saying that Mexicans were rapists and drug dealers,” said front man Fher Olvera in Spanish. “Vote for people that support your work, because each time we are more.”
The crowd booed when Olvera named Donald Trump. Inside and outside the concert, many fans showed what they thought with signs and posters as well as Mexican flags.
“What Donald Trump said was so gross. I hope that what Fher says tonight helps all the people react to what Trump said,” said Adrian Martinez, a NJ native and 15-year fan of the group who was attending his 3rd Maná concert.
The band went on to play a famous song by Los Tigres Del Norte called “Somos Más Americanos,” where the lyrics talk about the history of the US/Mexico border and the growing immigrant population in the U.S.
The Mexican band is almost halfway through their U.S., “Cama Incendiada" tour, hitting cities like Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and Houston in the upcoming month. In August and September they will be in Bilbao and Coruña, Spain.
Maná, with about 30 years of a music career under their belt, sold out at Staples Center in Los Angeles, and broke a record of most-sold-out shows by any band.
They also brought out some local talent, Ecuadorian Pablo Cubillo, to New Jersey to sing “Me Vale,” as part of their efforts to help more local artists.
Olvera is not the only Latino star denouncing Mr. Trump’s comments. The Colombian reggeatonero J Balvin pulled out from performing at the Miss USA contest.
Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sanchez withdrew as co-host of the Miss USA pageant, saying that although she is not Mexican, she is a proud Latina.
Chilean actor Cristian de le Fuente, made a Facebook video that now has over 100,000 likes, stating, “As a Latino, I cannot work in an event associated with your name.” De la Fuente was brought on by Univision to host a simulcast, according to TMZ.
Spanish-language network Univision broke their ties with the pageant stating, “"At Univision, we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country.”
Trump responded by saying it plans to sue the network for breach of contract.