Hoboken ‘Vape Van’ Rant About Immigration, Trump Sparks Outrage (VIDEO)

HOBOKEN, NJ — A hate-filled rant involving immigrants, racial slurs and Trump references in Hoboken has inspired condemnation from multiple local officials and outrage from many residents. The incident took place near Washington and 5th Streets this weekend, and involved a group of pedestrians and a “team member” of 9th Cloud Vape, a local “mobile vape bar” business.

The verbal fight was captured on video and quickly went viral.

“Go back to your own country, you f****** [immigrant],” the vape bar worker can be seen yelling. He later reenters a van, proclaiming “Trump!” followed by a racial slur.

Watch a video of the encounter below. WARNING: Video contains strong language and racial slurs. Viewer discretion advised.

“This just happened to my friend’s dad in Hoboken,” a person wrote on Facebook after sharing footage of the incident. “Racism, xenophobia, and ignorance are running wild and open.”

Comment on this article and other local news at the Patch Hoboken Facebook page.

9th Cloud Vape posted the following statement about the incident on social media after videos of the encounter began to go viral:

“It is truly unfortunate to find ourselves this situation we sincerely regret. As many of you may know, footage has been posted on the internet and social media platforms of a verbal altercation between our team and a party/family on the date of May 6. The verbal exchange soon escalated against our favor. We regret to admit insulting racial slurs were made by a member of our team. The exchange from start to finish went on for about 10 minutes, the recording shows the last few minutes. We sincerely apologize to all and anyone who is a part of the family, and to all who may have found our actions offensive. This public statement is in no way a justification for any of our actions. We are taking full responsibility for this situation and will act in any way possible to assure anything like this does not happen again.”

However, many Hoboken residents and community leaders continued to express outrage about the incident and claim that the bigoted public display doesn’t represent their city.

• See related article: Hoboken Councilman Responds To Racist Tweet Calling Him 'Terrorist'
• See related article: Hoboken Councilman Gives Classy Response After ‘Gay Slur’ Text

Hoboken councilmen Ravi Bhalla and Ruben Ramos issued the following joint statement about the incident on Monday:

"As proud sons of immigrants, we write to express our complete disgust with the hate incident involving the owner of the Vape Van vendor truck in Hoboken. This conduct has no place in Hoboken. This individual’s actions do not reflect the views of businesses or residents in Hoboken. [This] is a city of immigrants and we take great pride in this tradition.

"We will be sponsoring a resolution to revoke the Vape Van’s license to operate a mobile vendor truck within the city limits of Hoboken. This action implements the policy directive of a December 7, 2016 resolution adopted by the City Council. This resolution formally commits to 'creating a community that is free of bias and prejudice,' and 'pursuing a policy agenda that affirms . . . that those targeted on the basis of race, religion or immigration status can turn to government without fear of recrimination.' The forthcoming resolution revoking the Vape Van’s vendor license is an opportunity to implement the policy expressed in the council’s December resolution.

"Furthermore, we call upon Hoboken’s business community to join local city officials in expressing its embrace of Hoboken as a welcoming and diverse community. Specifically, we request Hoboken’s businesses join the Business Against Bigotry campaign of the American Independent Business Alliance. Through this program, we are offering window decals, free of charge, stating “We Welcome Everybody/Diversity Strengthens Our Community”. In addition to businesses, this window decal is available to schools, non-profits, houses of worship and business owners. To request a window decal, email Councilman Bhalla at councilmanbhalla@gmail.com and provide the address where you want your decal to be mailed.”

Zimmer also issued a follow-up statement about the incident:

"The hate speech by the Vape Van owner is reprehensible and does not represent Hoboken’s diverse and inclusive community. The Hoboken Police Department is investigating this incident. In addition to this being extremely offensive hate speech, as a vendor licensed by the City of Hoboken, they are obligated to follow all of our rules and regulations, and clearly they have not. Therefore, I am asking the City Council to revoke their vendor license, and I thank Councilmen Bhalla and Ramos for agreeing to co-sponsor the resolution. The Council previously adopted a resolution condemning the recent rise in hate incidents nationwide, and this repulsive act presents an opportunity for our local government to take tangible steps to put our words into action. Leaders at all levels of government need to speak out, and we need to stand together as a country against this hatred.”

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Photo: YouTube screenshot