'Check the facts': Republican smacks down new Haitian conspiracy theory in her district

A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania smacked down a new racist conspiracy theory involving Haitian immigrants on Tuesday that was promoted by the far-right social media account "Libs of TikTok."

The X account, run by notorious far-right internet activist Chaya Raichik, posted a baseless theory about Haitian workers in Pennsylvania.

"Incredible footage revealing an operation in Charleroi, PA where Haitians are being bussed to and from food factories operated by Fourth Street Foods," the account wrote on X. "It’s estimated that 90% of workers are now made up of Haitians. Kamala imported 2,000 Haitians into this town of 4,000 people and now they’re taking American jobs."

But state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, who represents the Charleroi area, stepped in and corrected the claim.

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"This is not true," wrote Bartolotta. "The business owner provides transportation for workers to get to & from his facility. These are not immigrants being bussed in by Kamala. I follow you & repost but you are playing into the hands of people who are jeopardizing the safety of innocent children in our local school. These Haitians are working hard, sending their children to school and opening businesses. They are here legally. They did not cross our border. Many are professionals who escaped horrific conditions in their home country."

Bartolotta continued, writing that Charleroi had "no workforce" just a few years ago when a business owner "desperately needed them." He took out advertisements and searched for workers for a long time. Facing a shutdown, she noted, the owner "hired an agency that connected immigrants who were vetted and LEGAL to work in his facility."

"Instead of closing, he now has three shifts working around the clock. He also renovated multiple dilapidated apartment buildings and put them back on the tax roll for the town. He’s been vilified wrongly. Please, check the facts before posting information the jeopardizes the safety of good, hard-working people. Thank you," wrote Bartolotta.

Raichik has become notorious for attacking any affirmation of racial diversity, sexual orientation, or gender identity online, even attacking the presence of a transgender character in a remake of a Mario game who had been in the original 20 years ago.

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