Hundreds descended on the Boston Common around noon on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to denounce false allegations made against the Haitian community. The rally was in response to the claim former President Donald Trump made during the Sept. 10 presidential debate, where he asserted that Haitian migrants were “eating dogs” and “eating the cats” in Springfield, Ohio. These claims are false but have started to weigh on the Haitian community in Massachusetts as they get picked up by the mainstream news.
The “Stop Discrimination Rally in Support of the Haitian Community of Massachusetts and Springfield, OH” had many speakers, including prominent Haitians and their allies. Among the speakers were well-known Haitian activist and Pastor Dieufort “Keke” Fleurissaint, the founder and executive director of the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA), Dr. Geralde Gabeau, and Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune.
Speakers addressed the crowd denouncing stereotypes and racism while advocating for everyone to be treated with compassion and respect. “It’s sad to see a former president say the words that he is saying and potentially could be back in that seat,” Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald said. The rally allowed many to voice their growing concerns about the 2024 presidential election. Concerns fueled by harmful rhetoric and false claims, specifically about the Haitian community, circulating in the wake of the Sept. 10 presidential debate. For many who attended the rally, the thought of an upcoming election was very much on their minds as November approaches.
