MEDIA ADVISORY AND PUBLIC NOTICE

Congressman Al Green and Bishop James Dixon Hosts Press Conference with Houston Haitians United and Community Leaders to Denounce Inexcusable, Invidious Prevarications Against Haitians and Demand Respect for Haitians

(Houston, TX) — On Monday, September 23, 2024, Congressman Al Green will host a press conference to denounce the recent inexcusable, mean-spirited prevarications made by Former President Donald Trump regarding the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. Congressman Green and other leaders will also demand respect for all Haitians, discuss the importance of defending the Haitian community, and the impact of his dehumanizing remarks. The press conference will feature Bishop James Dixon, President of the Houston NAACP, along with representatives from Houston Haitians United (HHU), Houston Caribbean Professionals Association (HCPA), and the Texas Caribbean Chamber of Commerce. 

“Houston Haitians United strongly stands in solidarity against the baseless and harmful allegations being promoted by certain campaigners in the current election cycle. These false claims unjustly target the Haitian people, and we denounce these tactics aimed at misleading the public and undermining our community's integrity. We urge all candidates to refrain from divisive rhetoric and focus on promoting unity and truth in their campaigns,” stated James Pierre, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Houston Haitians United.

“With no truthful basis and no substantive evidence, Haitians have been described as those who eat dogs, cats and pets. This dehumanization of the Haitian community should be an alarm to every American. It’s a continuing scheme to make citizens fearful of all people of color. The Houston NAACP is fully in support of demanding respect for Haitians and all victims of dehumanizing propaganda,” stated Bishop James Dixon, President of the Houston NAACP.

Congressman Al Green stated, "People of goodwill have a moral imperative to unite against Former President Trump’s disrespect of Haitians for political gain causing pain. We must recognize the enduring resilience of Haitians in the face of centuries of economic hardship in tandem with invidious discrimination. People of goodwill cannot remain silent as harmful political rhetoric threatens the well-being of innocent people. It is our duty to defend the Haitian community, just as we defend the Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Women, African American, Asian, Latino, Native American, and other subsets of society when attacked. Disrespectful injustice against Haitians is a threat to respect and justice for all, as evidenced by the chaos created against the people of Springfield, Ohio. If we as a nation truly stand for liberty and justice for all as proclaimed in the Pledge of Allegiance, we must stand against Former President Trump’s wittingly or unwittingly dehumanizing Haitians for political gain.”

Click here to watch the Facebook Live Stream of the press conference at 10:00 a.m. CT.