The Miami Heat franchise officially condemned Haitian hate comments on social media amid a surge of false claims targeting the community.
“The false narrative surrounding them is extremely hurtful and offensive and has sadly made innocent people targets of hateful speech and physical threats,” the team wrote. “Our Haitian employees, fans and friends deserve better.”
The comment comes after former President Trump and his running mate JD Vance amplified claims of immigrants eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio.
Cities across the country say their Haitian population has been adversely affected by Vance’s statements. Miami specifically touts 96,000 Haitians according to the U.S. Census.
“The Miami Heat staff, like Miami itself, is a diverse and brilliant mix of vibrant cultures, including many members of our Haitian community,” reads the statement.
On Sunday, Vance denied the impact of his claims and denounced any violence onset as a result of his reports while being interviewed by CNN anchor Dana Bash.
“There is nothing that I have said that has led to threats against these hospitals. These hospitals, the bomb threats and, so forth, it’s disgusting,” said Vance. “The violence is disgusting. We condemn it.”
Later in the interview, Vance admitted he embellished reports he received of the uncommon practice.
“The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes,” Vance said. “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do, Dana, because you guys are completely letting Kamala Harris coast.”
