A Sarnia-based, grassroots charity that works to empower communities in Haiti, is speaking out in light of false and dangerous claims made recently in the U.S. about Haitian immigrants.
“We at Rayjon are concerned about the increase of violent hatred towards immigrant communities, especially Haitian diaspora communities in the United States and Canada,” Rayjon Share Care posted to social media recently. “This has come to the international spotlight following recent outrageous remarks regarding Haitian immigrant communities, in Springfield, Ohio.”
They’re referring to false claims made by members of the Republican party, including presidential candidate Donald Trump, about Haitians eating cats and other pets.
The comments have prompted bomb threats, evacuations, and the cancelation of important local cultural events south of the border.
“We not only collaborate with Haitian partners and friends, who are increasingly targeted by this wave of violence, but our mission includes connecting the global to local,” the organization added. “This connection is only possible if we clearly stand against racism and speak out on these matters.
Rayjon was founded in 1986 by Sarnians Ray Wyrzykowski and John Barnfield following an awareness trip to Haiti, and initially focused on providing education and better health care to people in the rural St. Marc area of Haiti. Today, the group works with communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to reach their goals in sustainable development and social justice.
Executive Director Allison Kingston said it was important for the group to issue the statement, not only to combat misinformation, but to implore residents to stand up against the spread of hateful ideologies.
“Part of our mission and vision is bridging local to global — so if we’re unable to support Haitians and all immigrants in our own communities, we’re not fulfilling that part of our mission, we’re not supporting our own communities to learn and to appreciate new people in their communities," said Kingston, who recently moved back home to Sarnia to take on the organization's leading role.
“But also, we’re not protecting people that come to our country with hopes of better lives, better access to futures.”