Racists, white supremacists, anti-immigrant activists, and even some elected officials are spreading false and unsubstantiated claims that Haitian immigrants are “abducting and eating” pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Former president Donald Trump amplified the rumor during the recent presidential debate, along with other anti-immigrant sentiments.
Racist Billboards
Recently, billboards were launched in Phoenix by the Republican Party of Arizona referencing the racist rumor. The billboards read, “Eat Less Kittens, Vote Republican.”
CAIR Arizona condemned the billboard and rejected the hate against the Haitian American communities.
Targets of Hate
With anti-immigration sentiment on the rise, misinformation and false claims can be dangerous, especially for the Black immigrant community, and may lead to hate crimes against vulnerable populations. Baseless allegations perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to xenophobia, Islamophobia, and the dangerous stigmatization of all immigrant communities.
There have already been several instances of bigotry and hate targeting Haitian American communities. CAIR condemned recent reports of anti-Haitian incidents in Ohio and in Alabama.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Spreading false allegations about any group is unacceptable, and for elected officials, including a presidential candidate, to participate in amplifying these racist, unfounded claims is deeply disturbing. This a clear attempt to villainize Haitian immigrants and fan the flames of xenophobia and anti-immigration rhetoric. The dehumanization of Black and brown migrants is rooted in a long history of racism in the U.S. and is evident today in the stark difference between how our politicians responded to migrants from Ukraine versus Haiti.
“It is our collective responsibility to denounce hate and bigotry targeting any groups. As a nation of immigrants, every American who values mutual respect and inclusion should join us in condemning this dangerous campaign of hate against the Haitian community.”