#Eating the Cats

[yuribeam]

With the flood of empty meme-ification of the bigoted violence targeting Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, I had no idea until today that there is actually a Haitian Community Help & Support Center that serves Clark County and surrounding areas.

They were founded in 2023 and help assist refugees and immigrants with a variety of pressing needs, including:

housing

interpreting

job search

welfare assistance

"Through our work and determination, community services must be accessible to people in need of them, regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, religion, or sexual orientation. We envision it as a place where people feel at home when they come for community services and are served with dignity and respect." -HCHSC

They are now navigating the community's fears amid escalating threats, including multiple evacuations due to bomb threats, and violent racism that has exploded after J.D. Vance and Trump's xenophobic fear mongering lies were platformed at the debate.

The Haitian Times and the Hatian Community Help & Support Center organized a meeting on Saturday (9/14/24), bringing together activists from across the country, NAACP leaders, journalists, and local activists in conversation with community members.

The meeting had to be moved online out of fear for residents' safety.

"Some Haitian residents in the meeting shared their experiences in recent weeks and months as the fake news went viral. Participants also shared their fears, concerns and hope for the growing community. Even as they spoke, a ruckus broke out outside the community center from which a few participants logged into the Zoom when a strange truck appeared in the parking lot carrying white occupants acting cagey." - The Haitian Times, 9/16/24

The Haitian Times reports that some parents are keeping their children home from school out of fear for their safety. One woman's cars were vandalized in the driveway of her family home- the attacker used acid and broke a window, while another resident is facing discriminatory eviction from her business location.

White supremacist groups such as neonazis "Blood Tribe" are active in the area and are associated with the origin of the anti-Haitian lie.

Springfield's annual CultureFest, a two-day event that celebrates diversity, arts, and culture, has been cancelled for safety concerns.

"I take my kids to the park usually, I cannot do that anymore. You know, I have to just stay home and just don't go out. We used to just go for a walk in the neighborhood, but we cannot do that anymore," - Jims Denis, quoted in the Columbus Dispatch, 9/14/24

It is especially important to support the Haitian immigrant community during times like these. I hope visibility will shift from unhelpful dunk-on-trump memes to instead focus on the facts of the matter, the actual harm being caused to real communities, and how we can help.

With that in mind, the Haitian Community Help & Support Center takes donations through Stripe and Paypal on their website.

"Your generosity can make a profound difference in the lives of our Haitian community. By making a donation today, you help us provide essential resources, support, and opportunities for those in need. Donate now and be a part of the change. Every contribution counts! Thank you for your support." -HCHSC

(photo from Springfield Flag Day festival, 2023, Springfield News-Sun)

[colonel-killa-bee]

@nigmos

You said you wanted proof right

The Cat Eaters of Ohio (christopherrufo.com)

lol. here's video proof

[newmexicow]

The Kiffness

[ellenhenryart]

(via "Trump 2024 Eating Cats Debate Quote" Magnet for Sale by ellenhenry)

[hislittleraincloud]

"THEY'RE EATING THE CATS...!"

[thepoliticalvulcan]

Humor is a coping mechanism for horror and pain, I would not shame anyone indulging in it. However, inspired by Brad Onishi of Straight White American Jesus, I would ask that people chuckling at Trump ranting about Haitians eating pets be mindful of the deep history of dehumanizing people who some would like to rationalize behavior towards that would be immoral and savage if it was directed against a “real” person. It’s not just a stupid thing the right has fallen for because of bad media literacy, it’s a belief they are actively choosing against all evidence to the contrary because they want an ex post facto reason to justify treating “dog eaters” like they are lower and less deserving of dignity and safety than a stray dog.

[ivovynckier]

Immigrants are eating the pets in Springfield (OH)?

Send them to Seattle (WA)! It's not that the great state of Boeing and Microsoft needs them but it rains cat and dogs...

[badolmen]

WARNING 18+

19

[abigailspinach]

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A post shared by Eve Leoni Art (@eveleoniart)

[liewithm3]

Firemen, Real Heroes.

[sucka99]