NBC yesterday apologized for a “Law & Order” episode that enraged Latino leaders because of its portrayal of the Puerto Rican Day Parade – but series creator Dick Wolf growled that the network had “caved in” to the protesters.
Latino activists had charged that NBC crossed the line when it used the sexual-assault-filled rampage in Central Park following last June’s parade as a backdrop to a fictional, grisly murder in the episode, which aired Wednesday night.
“We sincerely apologize for offending members of the Latino community regarding the portrayal of Latinos and the Puerto Rican Day Parade in last night’s episode of ‘Law & Order,'” said NBC spokeswoman Kassie Canter, who added that the network agreed not to repeat the episode.
Wolf shot back at the network in a statement, pointing out that the show had offended many other interest groups during its 11-year run.
“The bedrock of American democracy is free speech and lack of censorship,” Wolf said. “The network has caved in to the demands of a special-interest group, and I am extremely disappointed with this decision, about which I was not consulted.”
Manuel Mirabal, president of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, said the apology is the first in a series of “repairs NBC will have to do to deal with the damage the show did to the character of the parade.”
Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer wrote a letter to NBC President Robert Wright criticizing the episode. Ferrer said the public apology “is a good first step. But far more needs to be done to reach a long-term understanding.”