NEW YORK, NY, (Le Floridien) — In response to the recent attacks on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, a group of Haitian-Americans in New York has come together to form “Haitians for Harris,” a collective supporting the 2024 presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
This initiative aligns with other grassroots efforts that have emerged in support of the Harris/Walz ticket, as the campaign seeks to engage a broad, diverse coalition of voters. The creation of Haitians for Harris comes at a time when immigration is a flashpoint issue, particularly affecting Haitian communities, making the group’s mission especially timely and relevant.
At its core, the organization focuses on voter education. Its aim is to guide Haitian-Americans and others through the intricacies of the voting process, offering resources on how to register, where to vote, and how to participate in absentee and mail-in balloting. However, Haitians for Harris also serves a broader goal—educating the public on Haiti’s rich history and the profound contributions Haitian immigrants have made to the United States.
“Haitians and Haitian-Americans have significantly contributed to the fabric of American society,” said Liz Johnson, a founding member of the group. “Yet, we’ve often been caught in political crossfire, a pattern that dates back to Haiti’s declaration of independence in 1804. This initiative is an opportunity for us to educate, unify, and contribute to a cause that resonates with our community’s values.”
In addition to its civic engagement efforts, Haitians for Harris will spotlight Haiti’s cultural and political influence. The group seeks to highlight the achievements of Haitian-Americans in fields such as politics, the arts, sports, education, and science. By bringing Haiti’s historical and modern-day contributions to light, they hope to counter negative stereotypes and foster a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience.
The group is also encouraging its members to donate to and volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign, underscoring the importance of strong voter turnout in the upcoming election. Their activism is part of a larger movement, emphasizing the pivotal role that the Haitian-American community—and immigrant populations at large—will play in shaping the outcome of this election.
Last August, Haitian-Americans in South Florida launched their own grassroots effort, ‘Ayisyen Pou Harris,’ headquartered in North Miami Beach. This initiative coincided with the Harris campaign’s appointment of Haitian-American Coral Springs Commissioner Nancy Metayer Bowen as Florida Caribbean Vote Director. Bowen will lead voter engagement efforts across Florida’s Caribbean communities, focusing on mobilizing support for the Harris/Walz ticket.
As Haitian-Americans work to raise awareness of the unique challenges facing their community, their support for Vice President Harris reflects their belief that her administration could champion policies that benefit immigrants and minority groups.
For more information on Haitians for Harris, visit www.haitians4harris.com.
