Haitian Community Rallies with Nassau County Leaders to Denounce Racist and False Remarks Made by Trump, Cruz, and Vance
- Legislators Call on Rep. Anthony D'Esposito to Break His Silence and Stand with the Haitian Community -
Elmont, NY (September 12, 2024) – Today, Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages and Siela Bynoe joined Haitian American leaders, faith organizations, and local residents at Bethany French Baptist Church to condemn the racist, false, and dangerous remarks made by former President Donald Trump, Senators J.D. Vance, and Ted Cruz. These inflammatory and debunked allegations, which falsely accuse Haitian immigrants of eating pets, have sparked outrage throughout the Haitian community, leading to today’s rally.
The gathering, organized by local Haitian American organizations and Nassau County leaders, called on all elected officials to reject hate speech and stand in solidarity with the Haitian community. Participants stressed the urgency of condemning these false narratives, which fuel dangerous, racially motivated conspiracy theories.
Legislator Carrié Solages, the first Haitian American elected to the Nassau County Legislature, delivered a powerful statement condemning the silence of many elected officials, including Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, who represents more than 32,000 Haitian Americans in Congress.
“These comments are not just lies, they are dangerous and rooted in racism,” said Solages. “Haitian immigrants and Haitian Americans deserve better than to be the target of xenophobic attacks. Continued silence from local Republicans like Rep. D'Esposito is nothing short of a dereliction of duty to the very community he represents. It’s time for him to stop putting his head in the sand for political gain and stand with the people of this district, many of whom are Haitian immigrants. His silence speaks volumes about his priorities, and it's clear they do not lie with the people of Nassau County.”
Legislator Siela Bynoe, who represents a sizable Haitian American constituency in areas like New Cassel and Uniondale added: “This is not the first time we've seen hateful rhetoric targeting vulnerable communities, and it won't be the last unless leaders take a stand. These comments are dangerous, and silence only emboldens hate. We demand that our elected officials, regardless of party, speak up and denounce these baseless attacks on Haitian immigrants. The people of Nassau County deserve leadership that values truth, unity, and respect—not division and fear.”
In light of the growing concern, Nassau County's Democratic Minority issued a strong call to action for all public officials to unequivocally reject these falsehoods and stand with the Haitian community. “Our community is diverse, resilient, and deserving of respect. Elected officials must act now to denounce these baseless and offensive claims,” Solages urged. "Anything less is an endorsement of racism and division."
The rally also featured leaders from prominent Haitian American organizations, including the Elmont Cultural Center, Haitian American Family of Long Island (HAFALI), and New York Friends of Haiti. Together, they pledged to continue advocating for Haitian immigrants and holding elected officials accountable.
Mimi Pierre-Johnson, Founder and CEO of the Elmont Cultural Center, said: “I’m not upset because I’m personally hurt; I’m upset for the young people we’ve been working with, who deserve to feel proud of their heritage. Across this country, Haitians have always been quiet, hard-working contributors. We may work quietly, but we are a force. To every Haitian who feels afraid because of these hateful remarks, I say: do not be scared. We are the descendants of revolutionaries who freed the first Black nation, and we will always stand up to defend our community and support all nations.”
Mimose Valbrun, LMSW, Haitian American Families of Long Island, said: “From a social work perspective, the impact on our children will be profound. These hateful remarks will lead to bullying and name-calling in schools, and that harm will ripple through our community. It’s critical that these false statements are retracted, for the sake of our children’s well-being and their future.”
Joseph Varon, Former President of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council, said: “Many years ago, President George Washington, writing to Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island, famously said, ‘to bigotry, no sanction.’ He addressed the Jewish congregation, and those words have stayed with me throughout my life—that’s how I live. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a world where they can live alongside children of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re here today: we refuse to accept such hateful, uninformed statements from a former president who repeatedly spreads lies. It’s a disgrace that Anthony D’Esposito, Bruce Blakeman and others have invited him to speak at Nassau Coliseum. Surely, the Republican Party can find a higher-quality candidate than this despicable individual.”
As of today, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito has remained silent on the issue, despite repeated calls for him to address the racist remarks from his party leaders. His refusal to speak out has led many to question whether his political alliances are guiding his silence.
“This is not a time for political games,” said a representative of New York Friends of Haiti. “This is about human decency and the safety of our communities.”