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Miss Puerto Rico Suspended Following Series of Anti-Muslim Rants Posted on Social Media

Miss Puerto Rico, Destiny Velez, was suspended for posting a series of anti-Muslims Tweets on social media. Aimed at filmmaker Michael Moore, who recently launched a “We are all Muslim” ca...
Miss Puerto Rico Suspended Following Series of Anti-Muslim Rants Posted on Social Media
Written by Kimberly Ripley
  • Miss Puerto Rico, Destiny Velez, was suspended for posting a series of anti-Muslims Tweets on social media.

    Aimed at filmmaker Michael Moore, who recently launched a “We are all Muslim” campaign, Miss Puerto Rico wrote, “Muslims use our constitution to terrorize USA & plant gas stations,” “there’s NO comparison between Jews, Christians & Muslims. Jews nor Christians have terrorizing agendas in their sacred books, and “all what Muslims have done is provided oil & terrorize this country & many others!!!!!!.”

    Miss Puerto Rico’s Twitter page has since been deleted, and the Miss Puerto Rico Organization has issued an apology.

    “In regards to Miss Puerto Rico, Destiny Velez’s, recent actions and conduct; the Miss Puerto Rico Organization feels that her words do not represent the integrity and esteem of our program, nor that of our board members, our sponsors and partners, or the National Organization,” it reads.

    “Miss Velez’s actions were in contradiction to the organization, and therefore as a consequence of her actions, she has been suspended indefinitely. The Miss Puerto Rico Organization will not tolerate any actions or behavior contrary to the Miss Puerto Rico Organization.”

    The statement includes an apology from Miss Puerto Rico as well.

    “I apologize to the people I have offended with my words. I am first and foremost an #UpStander and as such I stand up against bullying. The last thing I wanted to do was to bully anyone. Again, I apologize to anyone who felt offended with my words,” she said.

    Destiny Velez competed as Miss Puerto Rico in this year’s Miss America Pageant. Following her Twitter rant, the Miss America Organization also released a statement, saying it does not agree, condone or support what she said. MOA also said that it was working with the Miss Puerto Rico Organization to “resolve the issue.”

    While it’s unlikely that Velez will ever be reinstated as Miss Puerto Rico, it will certainly be interesting to see if she rallies a throng of backers. In most cases when a Miss America state representative is stripped of her crown–which hasn’t yet happened in this case–the first runner up resumes the role.

    What’s your take on Miss Puerto Rico’s anti-Muslim rant?

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