Overview:
At a rally in Brooklyn’s Little Haiti Mar. 14, native officers and advocates known as on Washington to reinstate Momentary Protected Standing (TPS) for Haitian immigrants by way of 2026. The occasion additionally noticed elected officers criticize Mayor Eric Adams and attendees query the effectiveness of the native officers’ strategy.
By Asar John
BROOKLYN — At a current rally in Little Haiti, dozens of politicians, immigrant advocates and supporters of the Haitian group known as for representatives in Washington, D.C. to hitch them in calling for the reinstatement of short-term protected standing (TPS) for Haitian immigrants. Some briefly lambasted Mayor Eric Adams, whereas criticizing the Trump administration for cutting short the authorized standing of greater than a half-million Haitians in the USA.
“Many Haitian TPS holders got here to the U.S. legally, they observe the principles they pay taxes,” stated Harry D’Janite, generally known as “DJ ‘Hard Hittin’ Harry,” who served because the rally’s MC, in kicking off the rally held on the steps of St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church Mar. 14.
“There’s no secure [Haitian] authorities to guard them,” stated the disc jockey, who immigrated to the U.S. along with his dad and mom at age 3. “Sending folks again now’s merciless and irresponsible.”
Adams and Trump lambasted
New York Metropolis Council members Farah Louis (District 45) and Mercedes Narcisse (District 46), each of Haitian descent, had been amongst a number of elected officers in attendance.
Narcisse condemned the reversal of TPS as a “grave mistake,” whereas Louis strongly criticized President Donald Trump.
“That is going to be a tough combat for us – to ask for a reversal, from an fool with a pen who thinks he can do no matter he needs,” stated Louis. “There’s no governance proper now within the White Home.”
New York Metropolis Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, throughout his flip on the podium, criticized Mayor Eric Adams — not for his widely scrutinized immigration discussions with President Donald Trump—however for his absence at Friday’s rally.
“The mayor ought to be cheerleader primary,” stated Williams, including that it’s paramount to reassure immigrant communities that they are often protected.
A number of members of the group started calling the mayor a “sellout,” following Williams’ remarks.
Wye Knight, an immigrant from Barbados, stated he agrees. He stated it was necessary for him to be current and throw his assist towards saving TPS for Haitians.
“That’s disgraceful and disrespectful for him [Adams] to not present up and assist the Haitian group,” Knight stated.
“You by no means know who’s subsequent,” he added. “Ship a message to the president – don’t contact Haitians – don’t contact no one. We work arduous and we should be right here.”
A spokesperson for the mayor’s workplace pushed again on Williams’ remarks, emphasizing Adams’ efforts to safe protections for migrants.
“I’m unsure what the PA is speaking about,” the mayor’s spokesperson advised The Haitian Occasions, referring to the Public Advocate. “Mayor Adams has been calling for – and his advocacy has efficiently achieved getting [sic] – the federal authorities to offer TPS and work authorization for migrants because the begin of the disaster.”
The spokesperson additionally pointed to a past rally the place Williams and Adams stood collectively in assist of migrant rights.
“He actually hosted a ‘Let Them Work’ rally, which Jumaane spoke at whereas standing proper subsequent to the mayor,” the spokesperson stated.
Native officers’ strategy left wanting
Regardless of sharing within the requires reinstatement and supportive chants, some on the rally felt they weren’t glad with the politicians’ strategy, which to them appears restricted to speeches.
Kenny Altidor, a longtime Brooklyn activist and painter who’s challenging Narcisse within the forty sixth District, expressed frustration with native management.
“That is simply straight-up politics,” Altidor, an immigrant himself, stated. “On the finish of the day, nothing has been carried out when it comes to one thing tangible.”
Altidor stated a greater means to assist immigrants is by creating academic facilities for folks to study English, develop commerce and pc abilities, and supply authorized companies.
“The [Trump] administration already has the higher hand,” Altidor stated. “Once you create stuff for folks, that’s how I do know you’re for actual. Proper now, it’s only a film for them.”
Others on the rally, together with Wilsmitson Mathurin Angelo, centered on the broader significance of TPS.
“All people is an immigrant—it’s a step again [revoking TPS], and it’s necessary that folks have the standing,” stated Angelo.
Different elected officers current included New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, additionally a mayoral candidate, Metropolis Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40), and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
Absent was Council Member Chi Ossé, who had been featured on the rally’s promotional flyer. His workplace didn’t reply to The Haitian Occasions’ request for remark.