HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)_ A Democratic State Representative is apologizing while coming under fire for remarks during a Monday meeting that claimed Asian Americans have not been discriminated against.
Rep. Michael Winkler (D-Vernon) was speaking during the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday when he said "...Asians and other minorities [that] haven't been discriminated against," while discussing a measure that would change zoning requirements in areas with less affordable housing.
Following that comment, Rep. Winkler insisted "blacks have suffered the most...every immigrant group that has come in has risen through and above the blacks."
Argument broke out during the meeting, in which State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) told Rep. Winkler: "...feel free to call me directly...to talk about bias, prejudice, bigotry."
“I’d like to say I cannot believe that Representative Winkler would say that Asian-Americans do not count and have not been discriminated against," says Attorney General William Tong.
In his statement on Tuesday, Tong goes on to say "...I invite Representative Winkler to seize this moment as a teaching opportunity, to educate himself by speaking to his Asian-American neighbors and colleagues, and to commit to joining me and others in fighting discrimination in all forms.”
In Rep. Winkler's written statement apology on Tuesday afternoon, he asserts "...Discrimination against any group is wrong. Moving forward, I want to work to ensure that I truly understand and recognize the experiences of those who unfortunately know what it’s like to be discriminated against."
