Aiden Clark’s parents condemn use of son’s death to spur hate toward Haitians

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The parents of the young boy killed in a 2023 bus crash condemned politicians’ use of his death to stoke hatred toward Clark County’s Haitian migrants.

In a brief speech in front of the Springfield City Commission Tuesday, Nathan Clark said that he wished his son Aiden, 11, had been “killed by a 60-year-old white man.”

“If that guy killed my 11-year-old son, the incessant group of hate-spewing people would leave us alone,” Clark said.

Hermanio Joseph, a Haitian migrant, was found guilty of causing the Aug. 23, 2023, crash that killed Aiden and injured nearly two dozen other students.

Aiden’s death has become a lightning rod on the topic of immigration as the city of Springfield struggles with an influx of migrants, most from Haiti.

Nathan Clark specifically addressed four politicians — former President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Ohio senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno — for their use of Aiden’s name for political gain.

“This needs to stop…now,” said Clark.

“They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants,” he continued. “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.”

The full text of Clark’s comments:

We felt it would be in our best interest to be here after recent comments.

You know, I wish that my son, Aiden Clark, was killed by a 60-year-old white man. 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. But even that’s not good enough for them. They take it one step further. They make it seem as though our wonderful Aiden appreciates your hate. That we should follow their hate.

And look what you’ve done to us. We have to get up here and beg them to stop. Using Aiden as a political tool is, to say the least, reprehensible for any political purpose. And speaking of morally bankrupt…politicians Bernie Marino, Chip Roy, JD Vance and Donald Trump then spoke in my son’s name and used his death for political gain. 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. I will listen to them one more time to hear their apologies.

To clear the air, my son, Aiden Clark, was not murdered. He was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. This tragedy is felt all over this community, this state and even the nation. But don’t spin this towards hate.

In order to live like Aiden, you need to accept everyone. Choose to shine. Make the difference. Lead the way and be the inspiration. What many people in this community and state and nation are doing is the opposite of what you should be doing.

Sure, we have our problems here in Springfield and in the U.S., but does Aiden Clark have anything to do with that? Did you know that an 11-year-old boy could be passionate about gardening, and he could haggle for a better price at a yard sale? Did you know that he researched different cultures to better appreciate and understand people he interacted with?

Did you know that one of the worst feelings in the world is to not be able to protect your child? Even worse, we can’t even protect his memory when he’s gone.

Please stop the hate. I said to Aiden that I would try to make a difference in his honor. This is it. Live like Aiden. Thank you.

Nathan Clark, to the Springfield City Commission, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024

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