In soldarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters

Houleye Thiam, a venerated Columbus leader and “good trouble"-maker — well-known throughout the U.S. and internationally — issued a statement in support of “our Haitian brothers and sister in Ohio and beyond.”

Quoting Toni Morrison, Thiam said, “The function, the very function of racism, is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps explaining over and over again, your reason for being."

Thiam was clear in her follow-up message, as well. “This is bigger than Haitians, this is an anti-immigrant rhetoric that is rooted in racism and hate! In solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters in Ohio and beyond!”

Thiam is General Secretary of the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights, a membership-based, power-building organization working to make U.S. immigration laws reflect a spirit of welcome and hold the Mauritanian government accountable for human rights abuses. Check them out here.