Rally held in Spring Valley against Trump's Haiti, Africa comments

<p>Lawmakers and members of the Haitian community rallied in Spring Valley Saturday to protest derogatory comments allegedly made by President Donald Trump about African nations and immigrants from Haiti during a private meeting at the White House Thursday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 13, 2018, 10:41 PM

Updated 2,301 days ago

Share:

Lawmakers and members of the Haitian community rallied in Spring Valley Saturday to protest derogatory comments allegedly made by President Donald Trump about African nations and immigrants from Haiti during a private meeting at the White House Thursday. 
Trump reportedly used vulgar language to reject an immigration bill, asking why the U.S. would take in more people from Haiti and "s***hole countries" in Africa.
State Sen. David Carlucci says Rockland County boasts one of the largest Haitian populations in the country, with more than 10,000 Haitians living in Spring Valley alone.
He says President Trump's alleged comments to "take them out," or remove those legally living in the United States with temporary protective status since the 2010 Haiti earthquake, would crush New York state, especially Rockland County.
On Friday, President Trump publicly denied saying anything inflammatory about Haiti. But local Haitians say they don't buy the president's line.
"It's hurtful but it doesn't faze me. I kind of expect it from a gentleman like him," says Schello Jean-Louis.
Local leaders say they want the president to apologize.
"No other leader around the world would ever make such a statement, and that statement to me by far has to be one of the most racial comments that any human being could ever make," says Spring Valley Village Board Trustee Eudson Tyson Francois.
The Trump administration announced last year it will end temporary protective status for the 60,000 Haitians living in the United States since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Those Haitians will have to leave the country or face deportation by July 2019.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!