Haitian collective demands end to hate speech

Santo Domingo.- The #HaitianosRD collective has urged the government to cease what it describes as “racial hate speech” that stigmatizes immigrants, violates labor rights, and fuels xenophobic violence in the Dominican Republic. The statement follows a march in Hoyo de Friusa, Bávaro, organized by the nationalist group Antigua Orden Dominicana, which led to incidents when participants attempted to enter the Mata Mosquitos neighborhood, home to a large Haitian community.

The collective condemned the march as an “armed and racist action” rather than a legitimate protest, asserting that the Haitian community consists of workers, students, and professionals who contribute to the country’s economic growth and deserve dignity and recognition. They criticized the portrayal of Haitian immigrants as an economic burden or security threat, calling it a harmful narrative rooted in historical oppression.

The group called on social organizations to push back against xenophobia by advocating for non-discriminatory immigration regularization, an end to warrantless raids and racial profiling, and the restoration of constitutional rights for immigrants. They urged a united effort toward a society free from prejudice and discrimination.