A Spanish-language newspaper pushed the buttons of both Democrats and Republicans when they posted a picture depicting the state’s governor as a Nazi.
In their January 6th edition, Georgia’s El Nuevo newspaper published a doctored photo of Governor Nathan Deal with a Hitler-style mustache, wearing a Nazi uniform, and a swastika armband. (See below.)
The photo accompanied a story titled “Repression in the Age of Deal” and spoke of the governor’s past financial troubles, his strict stance against illegal immigration, and also recapped the ethics investigation against Deal. Some Democratic leaders were interviewed for the article and asked what they thought was ahead for undocumented immigrants. One of those leaders was Hispanic state Rep. Pedro Marin.
Marin said he knew nothing of the photo when he spoke to the newspaper, and called it “disrespectful,” saying, “I might disagree with the policies of Governor Deal, but I respect him and the office he represents.”
The state representative, who is only one of two Hispanic legislators in Georgia, added that after he was elected, his car and home were vandalized, and he received hate, so he knows firsthand what being a target like Deal feels like.
Marin also pointed out that publication of the photo may now hurt the Hispanic community’s ability to communicate with state leaders.
El Nuevo’s Editor Rafael Navarro does not apologize for the photo, stating that is was meant to bring the attention of residents and politicians ignoring the Hispanic issues.
“Americans don’t read our paper because they can’t read Spanish. They don’t read our news, our editorials and the opinion of the community. But if they see a picture, they’ll get it,” said Navarro.
While Gov. Deal has not commented on the photo, his spokesman Brian Robinson issued a statement saying, “Those who can’t formulate a coherent argument in our society’s marketplace of ideas often resort to childish, even offensive tactics. This is pathetic.”
During Deal’s campaign for governor last year, Robinson stated, “We have to expect liberals to attack us. And they have to expect to be attacked in return.”
Photo Credits: El Nuevo Georgia
