New York Times: Latino Groups Call on ‘S.N.L.’ to Drop Donald Trump

The decision by "Saturday Night Live" to invite Donald J. Trump as its host this week is no laughing matter — at least for the Hispanic and pro-immigration groups that have intensified their calls for Lorne Michaels, the show's producer, to rescind the invitation.

On Wednesday, more than a dozen of the nation's leading Hispanic groups are planning to hold a "Dump Trump" rally outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where "Saturday Night Live" is taped. Latino and immigration groups also plan to deliver a petition, with 460,000 signatures, calling on NBC Studios and Mr. Michaels to drop Mr. Trump.

The groups have cited comments by Mr. Trump dismissing some Mexican immigrants as criminals and "rapists."

On Monday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued a statement also calling on NBC Universal and Mr. Michaels "to disinvite Mr. Trump"

The caucus called Mr. Trump's comments "divisive and hateful rhetoric toward Mexicans and Latinos alike" and said they could lead to violence and raised fears within immigrant and Hispanic communities throughout the country.

"When a TV personality calls Mexicans and Latinos criminals and rapists, a corporate network should not give him 90 minutes of free airtime in an entertainment venue without his first apologizing to the American people," Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez, Democrat of Illinois, said in a statement. "Did I miss an apology?"

NBC Universal severed its business relationship with Mr. Trump over his comments, which he made in June as he announced his candidacy. "Saturday Night Live" declined to comment.

On Tuesday, speaking at the Trump Tower before signing copies of his new book, Mr. Trump seemed undaunted. "Oh, good, it will get even higher ratings," he said. "It's going to be one of the highest-rated shows ever."

Mr. Trump has proved a ratings boon for television networks, including helping to bring record-breaking viewers to the first three Republican debates.

But immigration and Hispanic groups are eager to draw attention to Mr. Trump's statements.

"It is disappointing to see that Lorne Michaels and the executives at NBC are willing to prioritize their ratings over the dignity and respect of their viewers," said Juan Escalante, a digital campaigns manager for America's Voice, one of the pro-immigration groups participating in the protest. "On Wednesday, we will raise our voices and ensure that NBC and ‘S.N.L.' understand that Trump's attacks on Latinos and immigrants are not funny."