The Miami Heat took the extraordinary step of releasing a statement on the “controversy” over Haitian migrants allegedly eating pets, specifically cats, in the Springfield, Ohio, area, becoming the latest NBA franchise to showcase just how woke and politicized the league has become.
Celebrating diversity, the team denounced the “false narrative” at play, joining a media campaign that’s ferociously trying to beat down the allegations by reporting that local authorities have “debunked” the claim, despite testimonials on the ground suggesting otherwise.
“The Miami Heat staff, like Miami itself, is a diverse and brilliant mix of vibrant cultures, including many members of our Haitian community,” the team said. “The false narrative surrounding them is extremely hurtful and offensive and has sadly made innocent people targets of hateful speech and physical threats.”
“Our Haitian employees, fans, and friends deserve better.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 16, 2024
The post ended with a statement in Creole, which translates to “Together we are strong.” The only thing missing was a Harris-Walz banner across the top.
The great irony here that the media will skip over is that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Monday that a recent spate of bomb threats targeting the town of Springfield have all been “hoaxes,” pointing out that many of the threats are coming from “overseas”
“Thirty-three threats, 33 hoaxes,” Gov. DeWine said. “I want to make that very, very clear. None of these had any validity at all.
“We have people unfortunately overseas who are taking these actions,” he added. “Some of them are coming from one particular country.”
All 33 Springfield, Ohio threats called in were hoaxes per the governor of Ohio, most of them coming from overseas. I’m sure the left wing media will cover this thoroughly: pic.twitter.com/2426L1MycS
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 16, 2024
The story blew up when former President Donald Trump referenced pets being eaten at last week’s debate with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris — which resulted in the media tripping over itself to declare the story was false.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said of the town of 58,000, that has been hit with a massive influx of 20,000 Haitian refugees.
NBA teams usually reserve their fire for defending Communist China, and the Heat’s decision to engage here surprised many on social media. The team is owned by billionaire Micky Arison, an Israeli-American businessman and chairman of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise ship operator.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
How many Haitian people does China let into their country? Asking for a friend,
— Zod (@Riley94510202) September 16, 2024
Is saying “they should be deported for illegally jumping our border” your idea of hate speech?
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 16, 2024
The Miami Heat organization comes out in support of illegal immigration.
Wow.
— Pro America Politics (@Pro__Trading) September 16, 2024
Damn y’all wasnt even in no controversy where this come from
— Band Man Mir (@Supersaiyanmir) September 16, 2024
If Haitians are so great, why is their country so dumpster fire?
— #FreeKansas (@FreeKansas) September 17, 2024
Take your DEI, corporate word trash and shove it. The narrative isn’t false, look at the culture and rituals in Haiti. When you come to America, you must assimilate! If not, get out. Doesn’t matter if you’re Haitian, German, Italian or Chinese!
— Joey Balls (@FJBLGB76) September 17, 2024
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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