Trump’s Claims Spotlight Charleroi, Pennsylvania.
Former President Donald Trump’s recent statements about Haitian immigrants have thrust the small town of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, into the national spotlight, creating tensions that persist weeks later. His remarks, which falsely suggested that Haitian immigrants were responsible for rising crime and financial strain in the area, have caused significant concern among the town’s residents.
Marie Occimabia, 68, who runs a shop in Charleroi, has felt the impact firsthand. Originally from Haiti, Occimabia moved to Charleroi in 2019 to join the growing Haitian community that was revitalizing the downtown area. However, since Trump began his attacks, she has seen a decline in customers. “It feels empty again,” she said. “People don’t want to go out anymore.”
Trump’s statements, made first in Springfield, Ohio, and later in Charleroi, claimed the town was on the brink of bankruptcy due to the immigrant population. In reality, crime rates in Charleroi have been declining, and bankruptcy is not an issue for the community.
The fallout from Trump’s comments has been swift. Some local individuals, previously marginalized, now feel emboldened to express anti-immigrant sentiments. Conservative YouTubers have started recording videos in the town, looking for signs of the Haitian community. Disturbingly, a Ku Klux Klan flyer targeting immigrants circulated on social media, and white supremacist stickers have appeared on traffic signal boxes.
Borough manager Joe Manning remarked that the town, which once welcomed immigrants, now feels changed. “They received a lot of support,” he noted, “but now, that seems to have changed. I don’t know if it’s ever going to go back to the way it was.”
While Trump’s comments were aimed at the Haitian community, the repercussions have affected immigrants from various backgrounds. Amy Karpu, a 25-year-old Liberian immigrant, expressed concern for all Black immigrants, noting that many are now perceived as Haitian due to the increased scrutiny.
At Fourth Street Foods, where about 700 of the 1,100 employees come from immigrant backgrounds, owner David Barbe highlighted the diversity of the workforce. “It’s like the United Nations,” he said. However, both Barbe and Karpu have noticed that many immigrants are now retreating indoors and avoiding public spaces due to the heightened tensions.
Charleroi’s economy had been improving, thanks to entrepreneurs like Occimabia and Augusta “Queen” Goll, a Liberian immigrant who owns a local market. Goll has observed the change in community dynamics. “I cried when I took Trump stickers off my car,” she shared, explaining that Trump’s comments deeply hurt her and her business.
Local residents have also reacted to the divisive rhetoric. Anthony Staub, who has lived in Charleroi for a decade, said the town has seen an influx of businesses due to immigrants, improving the local economy. However, he has stepped back from local social media platforms due to the negative comments directed at immigrants.
Murphy, an immigration attorney, has also felt the backlash. He reported receiving escalating threats online since Trump’s remarks. While he previously felt safe in Charleroi, that sense of security has diminished.
In response to the increasing divide, Charleroi’s Haitian community leaders, led by Getro Bernabe, are working to educate locals and bridge gaps. Bernabe has organized meetings to help immigrants adapt to the town and discuss the tensions sparked by Trump’s comments.
Haitian immigrant Luciano Janvier noted that many community members have started staying home more often, worried about negative comments directed at them online. “Every day I go to that platform to see what they are saying,” he said, highlighting the growing concern within the immigrant community.
As the situation continues to evolve, Charleroi remains a focal point in the discussion about immigration and community dynamics in the face of divisive political rhetoric.
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