WORCESTER, Mass. - Members of Worcester’s Puerto Rican community spoke up to make sure their voices are heard at a rally downtown on Wednesday.

Worcester City Manager Eric Batista made reference to a comedian's comment calling Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage’ at a recent Donald Trump rally.

Former City Councilor Sarai Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said Worcester's rally was not meant to be political, but a way to come together.

"But the reality is that we holding this here together continues to show us as a community strong," Rivera said. "This is not about political rhetoric. This is not about that the election is coming up. But people may say that. But this is about, man, we're just sick and tired of being crapped on one too many times. Perfect example - Jones Act and taxation without representation. And again, the joke was exactly how we've been treated for ever."

Rivera said her hope is this can be a wakeup call for the country to see how poorly the American citizens in Puerto Rico have been treated.