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The father of a boy killed in a bus accident involving a Haitian migrant is urging politicians, including former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance, to stop using his son’s death to push anti-migrant narratives.
Nathan Clark — the father of 11-year-old Aiden Clark, who was killed in a car accident in Springfield, Ohio — tells JD Vance and Donald Trump to stop using his son’s name and the city of Springfield to demonize Haitian immigrants. “This needs to stop now!” pic.twitter.com/3J8FtZ82Ts
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 11, 2024
Let’s bring you up to speed: Aiden Clark, an 11-year-old from Springfield, Ohio, was killed in a school bus accident when a minivan, driven by an unlicensed Haitian migrant, Hermanio Joseph, crossed lanes and struck the bus. Joseph was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. During his sentencing, Joseph said, “I left my country to help my family, but now things are worse for them.” Aiden’s brother, Preston Clark, told the court, “I had to carry my little brother in a casket. Life shouldn’t be like that.”
What Aiden’s father is saying: During a Springfield City Commission meeting, Aiden’s father, Preston, called on former President Donald Trump and Senator Vance to stop using his son’s death “as a political tool.“ He added, “I bet you never thought anyone would ever say something so blunt. But if that guy killed my 11-year-old son, the incessant group of hate-spewing people would leave us alone. The last thing that we need is to have the worst day of our lives violently and constantly shoved in our faces.“
He continued, “This needs to stop now. They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis, and even untrue claims about fluffy pets being ravaged and eaten by community members. However, they are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed, to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio.”
Why were his comments directed at the Trump campaign?: Earlier this week, Senator Vance defended his claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing pets for food despite criticism that there was no evidence. In his response, he referenced Aiden Clark’s death, saying that a child from Springfield “was murdered by a Haitian migrant.”