Hispanic group to rally against Marvel; GOP leader defends him

Scott Sonner

Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999 | 5:26 a.m.

RENO, Nev. -- An Hispanic group planned a protest Friday over Assemblyman John Marvel's use of an ethnic slur while a Republican leader defended Marvel, saying he should be given a chance to explain himself.

Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, has been hospitalized with a serious case of pneumonia since Monday and has had no comment on his use of the word "wetback" last week.

Leaders of the Northern Nevada Latino Network said they expected about 100 people to turn out for the 11 a.m. rally Friday at the Washoe County Courthouse.

Marvel should issue a public apology or resign, said Jesse Gutierrez of the network.

Hispanics are a valued part of Nevada and don't deserve to be degraded or humiliated, Gutierrez said.

"'They shouldn't be portrayed as people who have come here without proper documentation," he said.

Aides to Marvel, 72, referred calls Wednesday to Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.

"I'm sorry to see it is going to that extent without even a chance to explain," Hettrick said. "It is a shame we have to kick him when he's down."

During a Ways and Means meeting last Friday, Marvel said the state should hire "wetbacks" to do repair work at the Lost City Museum in Overton because they have a knowledge of working with adobe and would do a better job than the state-hired contractors.

"Wetback" is a term that refers to Mexicans who enter the country illegally.

Hettrick said Marvel is so ill that only his family has been allowed to visit him at Carson-Tahoe Hospital.

"It is very unfortunate. He has not had any chance to communicate with any of these groups," Hettrick said.

"I understand why they found it distasteful. I don't blame them a bit. But it seems to me it would be nice if they could at least communicate with the man."

Hettrick said Marvel "was trying to say something complimentary.

"He should have said that we ought to get a Hispanic who knows what they are doing. It was an unfortunate slip of the tongue," he said.

"There was no intention whatsoever to slur anyone or denigrate any group of people."