During Tuesday’s presidential debate, Donald Trump stoked tensions by re-echoing an unsubstantiated claim regarding Haitian immigrants in Ohio abducting and eating household pets.
This claim, despite being proven to be false, has since been widely propagated by conservatives and the right-wing media. The Haitian-Times reported that after the allegations were circulated, Haitian families in Springfield, Ohio, have come under attack.
Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean is having none of those allegations as he recently registered his displeasure over Trump’s actions. Jean, who emigrated to the United States from Haiti at the age of nine, also praised his compatriots living in the U.S. and asked that “we stop these racist messages and accusations.”
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“I will be forever grateful for my family’s life, for having a fair chance to live what is called the ‘American Dream,'” the 54-year-old told TMZ. “One of our greatest assets in America is that we are a country of immigrants,” Jean continued.
“I speak from the heart when I say, Haitian people living in the U.S. are good neighbors and good people. We care about humanity. We care about our neighbors.”
The Grammy winner added: “On behalf of Haitian Americans, I ask that we stop these racist messages and accusations. Put our hands out in peace and say thanks for being my neighbor.”
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The Sweetest Girl singer also emphasized that “we need to respect one another and vote based on policies and facts, not crazy talk.” “And we need to shake hands with one another and be thankful we are part of an America for all,” he added.
The allegations regarding the abduction and killing of household pets by Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been debunked by city officials – though some right-wing supporters and politicians, including Trump and his running mate JD Vance, continue to spread it.
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” the office of the Springfield city manager, Bryan Heck, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Thursday also touched on the debunked claim, saying that it was “something that came up on the internet, and the internet can be quite crazy sometimes.”
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