SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The false claim of pet-eating Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio started on social media and made its way to the presidential debate stage, putting lives in danger.
The impact has reached beyond the city limits of Springfield.
Members of the Haitian American community in Metro Detroit felt compelled to speak out Friday afternoon at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield.
“When I first heard, I kind of had to laugh because I was like, ‘What? Where did this come from?’ And then when I heard it reiterated at the debate, I had to take a step back,” said Lise-Pauline Barnett with the Haitian Network Group of Detroit.
“It was hurtful to me, basically being characterized as dog-eating people. They’re saying we are not fit to function in a modern society,” said Rilck Noel with the Haitian Network Group of Detroit.
This isn’t the first time the Haitian community has been targeted by former President Donald Trump.
While serving as president in 2018, he allegedly questioned why the U.S. would allow immigrants from s***hole countries including Haiti.
And despite the pet-eating rumor being debunked, Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance has doubled down on it.
During an interview with Local 4 Wednesday (Sept. 18), Team Trump Black Media Director Janiyah Thomas pivoted from the false claims.
“The issue is also more so about the way that the immigration crisis is impacting everybody. Whether you’re in Detroit, you’re in Iowa, you’re in Chicago, it’s become a problem for everybody. It’s less about this cat-eating thing. It’s about the way that these immigrants are impacting everyday Americans,” Thomas said.
Barnett said she wants the attacks against Haitian immigrants to stop.
“It’s not fair. These are hardworking people who are just trying to make a living and live the American Dream like all of us are trying to do,” Barnett said.