{"id":199,"date":"2024-09-29T23:25:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T03:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/commons.princeton.edu\/jrn449-f24\/?p=199"},"modified":"2024-10-03T01:51:53","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T05:51:53","slug":"its-bittersweet-solidarity-protests-in-major-us-cities-clarify-what-is-at-stake-for-haitians-in-upcoming-presidential-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/commons.princeton.edu\/jrn449-f24\/2024\/09\/29\/its-bittersweet-solidarity-protests-in-major-us-cities-clarify-what-is-at-stake-for-haitians-in-upcoming-presidential-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Solidarity protests clarify what is at stake for Haitians in presidential election"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

On September 24, hundreds of people<\/a> gathered in Boston Common to protest the spreading of false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. \u201cThe goal of this rally was to show that Haitians and advocates in Boston stand in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield,\u201d says Heather Yountz, an immigration attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute who spoke at the rally. Community organizers and activists like Yountz joined Boston\u2019s Haitian community in condemning what they see as a racist smear against Haitian immigrants.<\/p>\r\n

The rally is the latest demonstration of public opposition to Trump and Vance’s role in spreading rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield abducting and eating pets. Police have said there is no evidence that any pets were harmed by members of the immigrant community. Nonetheless, Republican politicians have continued to push this false narrative, sparking outrage in the Haitian community across the country.<\/p>\r\n

Protests like the one in Boston have proliferated across the country since the September 10 presidential debate which saw Trump repeat the baseless claims. One week later, protesters showed up with their blue and red flags at a Trump campaign event<\/a> on Long Island to express their indignation. Days later, about 200 people gathered outside of the North Miami City Hall<\/a> in Florida to denounce the former President\u2019s racist remarks. In Chicago, a rally was held on Federal Plaza<\/a>, which brought together community members to show support for Haitians across the United States.

\u201cIt\u2019s bittersweet,\u201d Yountz says when asked about her experience attending the rally in Boston. \u201cIt’s horribly sad that we had to hold a rally to combat racist lies,\u201d she added. Still, the rallies have become a source of joy for many in the Haitian community, who are thrilled to see the outpouring of support. Safirah Isme, whose family lives in Springfield, is one of those people. \u201cThe only thing that has brought any inkling of joy or optimism is how fast [people] worked to debunk the baseless claims, and [stand up against] the fear-mongering\u201d, says Isme.

Isme\u2019s family has experienced the consequences of Trump and Vance\u2019s actions firsthand. Since coming into the national spotlight, the city of Springfield has been rocked by bomb threats that have closed schools and offices. The city\u2019s residents \u2014 and particularly its Haitian population \u2014 are afraid to leave their homes, even to go shopping. Leaflets calling for the \u201cmass deportation\u201d of Haitians immigrants and referring to them as \u201cbeats off the fields\u201d have been distributed around the city<\/a> by members of extremist organizations such as the KKK and the Proud Boys.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

The repercussions of these actions are already being felt by people like Isme\u2019s uncle, a recent Springfield resident. Several recruitment agencies have told him they will have to wait until after the election to decide whether to hire Haitians. The consequences are even more severe for others. Isme\u2019s uncle\u2019s brother-in-law got abused while walking around. \u201cThey threw raw eggs and debris at him while yelling offensive language [before] they left,\u201d Isme shared. These experiences have prompted Isme’s family to consider leaving Springfield, fearing that the situation might worsen for them. \u201cThe stress has become almost unbearable\u201d, Isme said.<\/p>\r\n

At many of these gatherings, the focus seems to be on voting as a form of protest. Speaking to a crowd of protesters in Florida<\/a>, Hedder Pierre-Joseph, President of the Democratic Haitian Caucus of Florida, shouted: \u201cWe are US citizens right now, and we are going to vote.\u201d At the Boston rally, City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune – the first Haitian-American to hold this position – reiterated to the crowd the importance of voting. \u201cWe must make sure that the 300 000 registered Haitians in Florida vote. We must make sure that we vote here in Massachusetts\u201d, said Louijeune.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On September 24, hundreds of people gathered in Boston Common to protest the spreading of false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. \u201cThe goal of this rally was to show that Haitians and advocates in Boston stand in solidarity with Haitians in Springfield,\u201d says Heather Yountz, an immigration attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform<\/p>\n

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