Growing up, Nathan Gabriel was teased for his Haitian heritage. He’s now growing increasingly concerned about the claims former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance made at the national stage regarding Haitian immigrants — and that anxiety has empowered him to push others to vote.

Several dozen Haitians and allies gathered on Federal Plaza with an umbrella in one hand and Haitian flags in the other Sunday afternoon. The gloomy sky and near-constant downpour did not dampen their admonishment of former President Donald Trump’s unfounded accusations that Haitians were stealing and eating pets in Springfield,