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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: E24 0921 EATING CATS AND DOGS
HEADLINE: Haitian migrants in Ohio threatened in U.S. presidential campaign
TEASER: False claims about eating cats and dogs
PUBLISHED AT: 09/20/2024 at
BYLINE: Scott Stearns
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Denver
VIDEOGRAPHER: Obed Lamy
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Bush
SCRIPT EDITORS: Baragona, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Creole, AP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:25
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) In the U.S. presidential election, Republican candidates have spread false claims that migrants in the Midwest state of Ohio are eating residents’ pet cats and dogs. That has led to security threats and more divisions in an election where immigration is a central campaign theme. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns has our story.
((NARRATOR))
Ohio state police sweep school classrooms and keep watch outside after dozens of violent threats. They follow false claims that Haitian immigrants in the city of Springfield are eating people’s pets.
Local pastor Bernardette Dor says Haitians feel threatened.
((Bernardette Dor, First Haitian Evangelical Church of Springfield))
“We're not used to that in an American society where Haitians are targeted for something they don't do.”
((NARRATOR))
Those false claims online and in campaign speeches come from presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Trump said Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating people’s cats and dogs.
((Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Nominee))
"I can say this, we will do large deportations from Springfield, Ohio. Large deportations. We're going to get these people out.”
((NARRATOR))
With state and local officials saying there are no credible reports of anyone eating household animals…
((Courtesy: NBC NEWS “MEET THE PRESS”))
… Vance told NBC News that he has heard about it from voters.
((JD Vance, Republican Vice Presidential Nominee)) [is that an “o” in nominee? It kind of looks like a Q, has a little tail on it.]
“I'm not repeating them because I invented them out of thin air. I'm repeating them because my constituents are saying these things are happening.”
((NARRATOR))
More than 15,000 Haitian migrants came legally to this city of 60,000 people because of jobs and a relatively low cost of living.
((NARRATOR))
((For TV:)) Migrant Clio Paraison told VOA the rumors are keeping him indoors.
((For Radio: Migrant Clio Paraison told VOA he saw on the Internet how people are talking about Haitians misbehaving. There is no proof, but still, he says he doesn’t walk around town as much.))
((Clio Paraison, Haitian Migrant)) ((In Creole))
“I saw it on the internet. People talking about how Haitians are misbehaving. But definitely there’s no proof. Anyway, I don’t walk around town.”
((NARRATOR))
Trump’s opponent in this election, Kamala Harris, says what is going on in Springfield is shameful.
((Kamala Harris, Democratic Presidential Nominee))
"Law enforcement resources being put into this because of these serious threats that are being issued against a community that is living a productive, good life before this happened. And spewing lies that are grounded in tropes that are age-old."
((NARRATOR))
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue says politicians who put his city in the national political spotlight need to help restore calm.
((Courtesy: Dayton 24/7 Now))
((Rob Rue, Springfield Mayor)) [wrong graphic here.]
“We'd like those that are on the national stage that can bring peace, that could temper their words and speak truth. That's what Springfield is asking. We need peace."
Trump and Vance both say they intend to visit Springfield to see for themselves what is going on there.
((Scott Stearns, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateSeptember 20, 2024 13:27 EDT
BylineScott Stearns
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
