Dominicans Talk Politics at Inwood’s 809 Sangria Bar
At Inwood’s 809 Sangria Bar, Election Night began cheerfully. The bar was packed, tropical music blared, and the crowd — most of them Dominicans — talked politics.
The bar is a hangout favored by neighborhood organizers for Hillary Clinton and supporters of Adriano Espaillat, who dropped by during the evening after securing his win to replace longtime Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel in Congress.
“And by tomorrow we will have a female president!” exclaimed Espaillat, who will be the first Dominican American to serve in Congress.
Between making drinks and serving cold brews, bartenders craned their necks to look at the elevated TV screens. Every projection of Hillary Clinton moving ahead in the polls brought whistles, cheers, and chants of “Si se puede, si se puede!” meaning, “Yes she can, yes she can!”
Immigration, student debt, and jobs were the issues foremost on the minds of this pro-Clinton crowd. Among them, though, was a lone Donald Trump supporter, 38-year-old Roberto Sanchez, who said he likely was the only one in the bar who favored the Republican.
“I would like to roll the dice with Trump, only for several reasons. I think Trump is kind of like a wild cowboy,” said Sanchez. “He’s someone who has no ties, he has no fear.” And that, said Sanchez, “might be better than to elect someone who will do the same things as in the past.”
Despite his admiration, Sanchez said he didn’t support all of Trump’s policies — and had decided not to vote for anyone for president.
As the night wore on and the gap closed between Clinton and Trump, a more somber atmosphere took over the bar.
Graphic designer Jeffrey Valenzuela, 25, grew up between the Dominican Republic and New York City. He was originally a Bernie Sanders supporter, but eventually went to work for Clinton as a canvasser and phone bank worker.
Though he said he fears post-election violence and is anxious about Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, Valenzuela said he’s doubtful that Trump could carry out his vow to deport the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
“Just the way he expresses himself against Latinos, as an American, is really embarrassing,” Valenzuela said. “Honestly, this whole campaign has been weird.”
As Trump was declared the winner in yet another state, making it increasingly likely Clinton would lose, Valenzuela shook his head and took a sip of his drink.
“It’s just a mix of emotions at this point,” he said.
