Haitian officials group calls to galvanize community amid surge in anti-Haitian hate  

NEW YORK—A group of Haitian officials want to pursue legal action against anyone spreading misinformation and hate speech while engaging   with the Department of Justice (DOJ), to ensure the safety of Haitian communities. 

During a virtual press conference Thursday morning, members of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) condemned the harassment and fear gripping the Haitian and Haitian American community following racist remarks by Republican candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, which have fueled a surge of anti-Haitian hate. They also outlined efforts to mobilize Haitian American voters and pursue legal action against those spreading the harmful rhetoric nationwide..

 “Our community has the power to make real change in this election, but we must show up at the polls,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida’s District 20. 

“This isn’t just about responding to threats. It’s about using our votes to protect our rights and ensure our voices are heard.” 

NHAEON leaders emphasized the importance of political engagement and voter mobilization as critical tools to combat xenophobia. They laid out a series of initiatives to boost voter turnout in the Haitian American community. Voter registration drives and outreach efforts are being coordinated with churches, community centers and other local organizations across states with large Haitian populations, such as Florida, New York and Ohio. 

“We need to galvanize every corner of our community,” said an unidentified participant on the Zoom. “This is the moment to make sure we are engaged and informed.”

The leaders said they intend to:

• Push for stronger federal protections for Haitian communities
• Increased law enforcement presence in areas where threats have been reported, and
• Stricter penalties for individuals engaging in racist and xenophobic behavior. 
• Seek federal investigations into the extremist groups perpetuating these threats.

“We have the tools, the legal framework, and the political will to fight back, and we will not stop until our people are safe,” Cherfilus-McCormick said.

The false accusations, along with claims that Haitians are manipulating the United States political system, have left Haitian communities fearful for their safety. The rhetoric itself has penetrated into everyday life, affecting adults and children.

Springfield is now under emergency order 

Local Springfield officials have received more than 30 violent threats since the second presidential debate. On Thursday evening, Springfield’s Mayor issued a proclamation granting himself emergency powers as claims continue to incite bomb threats and violence throughout the city. The proclamation allows Mayor Rob Rue to temporarily wield emergency powers to secure resources and respond swiftly to threats that arise.

Still, the message of solidarity and resistance was clear throughout the meeting. 

“Haitians are like the bamboo; they will bend under pressure, but they will not break,” Circuit Court Judge Lionel Jean Baptiste of Cook County, Illinois, said, invoking a metaphor to illustrate the Haitian community.

The town hall also acknowledged the varying needs of Haitian communities across the U.S. and called for localized forums to address those differences. Protesters and organizers looking to rally against Haitian hate are encouraged to work directly with NHAEON and the DOJ to ensure safety during public demonstrations.

“What’s appropriate in Florida may not be appropriate in Arizona,” one leader pointed out. “We must make sure that we’re addressing the specific needs of our Haitian communities, as each one is a little bit different across the country.”

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