October 30, 2024

Contact: sjoseph@haitainbridge.org, info@haitianbridge.org 

San Diego, CA – Haitian Bridge Alliance strongly denounces the harmful and demeaning language used at a recent Trump rally, where Puerto Rico was referred to as an “island of garbage.”  Such remarks are not just offensive; they are rooted in ignorance and promote harmful stereotypes that demean entire communities, undermine their humanity, and exacerbate racial and social divisions.

This type of language does a disservice to the shared history and struggles of Caribbean nations like Puerto Rico and Haiti, which have long faced challenges including colonial exploitation, economic marginalization, and environmental injustices. Rather than dismissing the lived realities of these communities, our focus should be on supporting their resilience, recovery, and dignity.

“This language is dangerous and dehumanizing, not only to Puerto Ricans but also to all who share a similar history of systemic oppression,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “We must reject these attacks on our collective dignity and work to build a more just, empathetic, and respectful world.”