Staten Islanders are standing up for Haiti and African Countries this Martin Luther King Junior Day.

Local leaders and activists gathered on the steps of Borough Hall in St. George for a peaceful demonstration to stand up for Africans and Haitians.

The CANVAS Institute of Arts, Culture, and Civic Engagement held the event in response to reports President Trump allegedly used profrane language to describe Haiti and African countries during a meeting on immigration.

Staten Island was the only borough in New York City that President Trump won in the 2016 election.

"It's important that we stand up and speak out when we hear those types of demeaning, condescending, racial, derogatory statements," said activist Bobby Digi.

Organizers with the CANVAS Institute say the discussion will continue. They invite everyone to visit their Tompkinsville center to talk about next steps.