Local Haitians are taking a stand against former President Donald Trump's debate comments about their community members.

Last week, the former president made an unsubstantiated claim that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio are eating residents' pets.

Community members in Brooklyn say they are false rumors, and it's affecting them in New York.

Jensen Desrosidrs is the owner of Bon Bonbon, a Haitian Café in Flatbush.

He says the rhetoric is hurting the kids and youth of the community.

Desrosidrs says kids have complained to him that they have experienced harassment and bullying since Trump's claims.

On Tuesday, community members held a rally in Flatbush to take a stand against Trump's claims.

The rally was hosted in partnership with Council Member Farah Louis.

Executive director of Little Haiti BK, Stephanie Delia says this hate will not be tolerated, and they will not allow Trump to use the Haitian community as players in a game of "political ping pong".