Miami Heat releases pro-Haitian statement after Trump’s racist comments

The Miami Heat have expressed solidarity with Haitians while the Trump campaign spreads racist disinformation campaigns. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate JD Vance have repeatedly made the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eat cats and other pets, basing the claim on an unsubstantiated Facebook post. The comments, which went viral after the recent presidential debate, have drawn widespread criticism from many, including North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, who called the comments “despicable.”

On Monday, the Heat made a statement with stars like Wyclef Jean and John Legend.”The Miami Heat “The staff, like Miami itself, is a diverse and brilliant mix of vibrant cultures, including many members of our Haitian community,” Miami Heat said, adding, “The misrepresentation surrounding them is hurtful and offensive and has unfortunately resulted in innocent people being the target of hate speech and physical threats.” The graphic includes a Haitian flag and a Miami Heat logo.

According to the 2022 census, Florida has the largest Haitian population in the Americas. In 2010, Miami Heat members Alonzo Mourning and coach Erik Spoelstra visited Haiti to help citizens after the catastrophic earthquake. And now the organization has decided to share its thoughts on Trump’s comments that went viral after the recent presidential debate.

The root of the racist “theory” lies in a Facebook post by Springfield resident Erika Lee, who recounted a story she said her neighbor Kimberly Newton told her about an acquaintance whose cat had gone missing. However, Newton told NBC that Lee “misrepresented” her account, and that the post “exploded into something I didn’t intend.” Neo-Nazi groups spread the conspiracy online, eventually reaching Vance.

Despite there being no evidence to support his claims, Vance stood by his comments, telling CNN on Sunday: “The American media completely ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes. If I have to make up stories to get the American media to actually pay attention to the suffering of the American people, then I will do that.”

Since Trump’s comments went viral, Haitians in Springfield have reportedly been victims of vandalism and harassment, an anonymous source told Haitian Times that they are too afraid to do their daily tasks.