Trump Continues to Peddle Baseless Claims About Haitian Immigrants
Former President Doubles Down on False Narrative
MIAMI, CMC – Former United States President Donald J. Trump continues to double down on claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating their neighbors’ pets, such as dogs and cats.
At a Univision town hall in Florida on Wednesday, President Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee for the US Presidential Elections on November 5, refused to disavow the narrative about the Haitian immigrants.
“All I do is report,” said Trump in responding to a question about the issue, stating that he was “saying what was reported.”
Without providing evidence, he added that the Haitian immigrants are also “eating other things, too, that they’re not supposed to be.”
The former president said he plans to visit Springfield during his presidential campaign soon.
“I’m going to be there, and we’re going to take a look,” he said. “And I’ll give you a full report when I do.”
Earlier this month, a Haitian group in Springfield filed criminal charges against Trump and his Republican running mate, JD Vance, stemming from what the group describes as “baseless and malicious comments” made by both men about Haitian immigrants eating pets.
Legal Action Against Trump and Vance
The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) – a grassroots nonprofit community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black people, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses – said that it has filed the criminal charges in a municipal court in Springfield.
HBA said that, in recent weeks, both Trump and Vance “led an effort to vilify and threaten the Haitian community in Springfield.
“Together, they spread and amplified the debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating pets, including cats, dogs, and wildlife,” it said.
Consequences of Trump’s Statement
HBA said the criminal charge asks the court “to affirm probable cause that Trump and Vance committed multiple crimes and issue arrest warrants against Trump and Vance.”
HBA said it is represented by Ohio-based civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra, who successfully represented Tamir Rice’s family in a case against Ohio police for shooting and killing their son.
“HBA filed this criminal charge to hold Trump and Vance accountable for the devastating harm they caused our community in Springfield and has impacted Haitians around the United States,” said Guerline Jozef, HBA’s executive director.
Confronting White Supremacy and Hate Speech
HBA said that, in recent weeks, at least 33 bomb threats had been alleged across Springfield and that hospitals, schools, universities, and government offices were all evacuated after receiving racially char racially charged nonprofit groups. Springfield government officials and their families have also received threats.
“Trump and Vance’s lies have harmed the Springfield community, and their lies have violated criminal law,” HBA said. “HBA is non-partisan, not about one candidate or political party. This is about confronting white supremacy, anti-Black rhetoric, and hate speech that seems to be a constant in US politics and that continues to cause suffering. No one is above the law.”
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the charges against Trump and Vance?
A: The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) has filed criminal charges against Trump and Vance for making baseless and malicious comments about Haitian immigrants eating pets.
Q: What are the consequences of Trump’s statement?
A: The statement has led to harm to the Springfield community, including bomb threats and evacuations of hospitals, schools, and government offices.
Q: Who is representing HBA in this case?
A: Civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra is representing HBA in this case.
Q: Why is HBA taking legal action against Trump and Vance?
A: HBA is taking legal action to hold Trump and Vance accountable for the harm caused to the Haitian community in Springfield and around the United States.
About The Author
