Since Monday, in Springfield, Ohio, the Haitian community has been living in fear and anxiety after malicious rumors https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43185-haiti-news-zapping.html , echoed both in the mouths of certain elected officials and a certain press in the USA, were spread about Haitians. They are unfairly accused of having stolen, brutalized and consumed domestic cats and ducks, they are also held responsible for the insalubrity in the city among other accusations.

The administration of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has formally denied these allegations. He has taken new measures to help Springfield cope with the influx of Haitian migrants (±13% of the population). He notably announced the allocation of an envelope of 2.5 million dollars and the deployment of additional troops in the city

The police authorities of Springfield declared that they had not received any complaints on this subject and categorically deny these allegations.

The Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) denounces a discriminatory campaign threatening the lives of Haitian nationals in Springfield and is committed to supporting these compatriots.

The Repatriated and Refugee Support Group (GARR) deplores that American officials can peddle these harmful, racist and xenophobic ideas, endangering the lives of several thousand Haitians living in Ohio. The GARR recalls that the Haitian community in the United States is made up of hard workers, people who strive daily to earn their living in dignity by supporting their families in Haiti and contribute to the development of the United States.

White House denounces false claims about Haitian immigrants as "dangerous" that Haitian immigrants attack pets could escalate into anti-immigrant violence.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, "This kind of misinformation is dangerous because there will be people who believe it, no matter how ridiculous and stupid it is."

According to the White House, "These rumors about pets in Springfield began going viral over the past weekend, based in part on comments from residents at public hearings and a fourth-hand story posted in a Facebook group devoted to crime. By Monday, they were being embraced by supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump [...]"

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43185-haiti-news-zapping.html

S/ HaitiLibre