Caraballo applauds Verizon and PSE&G decision to pull ads from offensive ‘jersey guys’ radio program

NEWARK, april 27, 2007.– Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo today applauded Verizon and PSE&G’s decision to pull their advertising from the “Jersey Guys” radio show, which urged listeners to engage in Latino profiling as part of an ethnically offensive publicity stunt called “Operation Rat a Rat/La Cucha Gotcha.”

“Both companies action should send a sobering message to radio shock jocks everywhere to mend their ways and stop stereotyping Latino residents and other minority groups,” said Caraballo (D-Essex). “This is a victory for the state’s Latino community, but the fight continues to get the Jersey Guys to fully abandon their La Cuca Gotcha antics and to apologize to New Jersey’s Latino community.”

Program hosts Craig Carton and Ray Rossi launched “Operation Rat a Rat/La Cucha Gotcha” in February, urging listeners to report suspected undocumented aliens to law enforcement authorities or the staff of the NJ-101.5 radio station. The campaign targets Hispanics, using a name that is a play on words of the Spanish word for cockroach – “cucaracha” – and other promotional devices such as Mexican music and an original reporting deadline of Cinco de Mayo, a revered Mexican holiday.

Last month, Caraballo assembled Latino leaders for a press conference assailing the actions of the two hosts. That event galvanized community awareness and resulted in a national response of condemnation of the Jersey Guys’ stereotyping of Latinos. Since that time, AT&T, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the State of New Jersey announced that they would cease purchasing time during the shock-jocks’ program.

Caraballo said Verizon and PSE&G decision to pull ads from the radio program – which is broadcast by Millenium Radio Group – sets an example for other corporate sponsors to follow.

“Don Imus’ firing in the wake of his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team showed how powerful advertisers can be when a radio personality crosses the line,” said Caraballo.

“Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in New Jersey,” said Caraballo. “We command respect, not only because of our numbers, but because we are hard-working, law-abiding Americans.”

“Hopefully, media moguls will realize that the Jersey Guys’ brand of radio antics will invite serious financial consequences. Hopefully, more advertisers will follow Verizon and PSE&G’s lead and say enough is enough to Carton, Rossi, and their tasteless show.”