UNITED NATIONS (AP) — During his speech Thursday before the U.N. General Assembly, a senior Haitian official brought up a strange episode in U.S. policy.
Edgard Leblanc Fils, president of Haiti’s Transitional Council, spoke to world leaders about gang violence in his country and lamented the large number of citizens fleeing violence. He then mentioned false rumors that Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio, eat dogs and cats.
The discredited rumor made headlines in the international press after the US presidential debate held a few weeks ago, in which the Republican candidate Donald Trump repeated the rumors that have gone viral on the internet and that have also been repeated by his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. Both candidates have criticized the immigration policies of President Joe Biden’s government, which are supported by the Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Leblanc Fils made clear his country’s concern about the repercussions that false rumors could have on its citizens abroad.
“I would like to extend a fraternal greeting to all the friends of Haiti who have shown their solidarity towards the immigrants of our country, and in particular to those who live in Springfield, Ohio,” he said. The history of ties between the United States and Haiti “allows us to affirm with certainty that the American people reject any incitement to hatred against our community.”
“The passions that arise naturally during an electoral campaign should never serve as a pretext for xenophobia or racism in a country like the United States, a country forged by immigrants from all countries, and which has become a model of democracy for the world,” added Leblanc Fils.
During the debate with Harris, Trump specifically mentioned Springfield and said immigrants were taking over the city.
“They are eating the dogs. They are eating the cats. “They are eating the pets of the people who live there,” declared the former US president.
