Springfield's Haitian Immigrants Being Affected by Claims from Debate
By Haley Hart
It’s been a week since Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance decided to shine a light upon the city of Springfield, Ohio, by spewing unverified claims about Haitian immigrants “killing and eating people’s pets.” Following these claims, the city has seen multiple school closures, bomb threats, and ever-increasing anxiety within the city's immigrant community.
The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, issued an emergency proclamation due to the influx in public safety threats. Thursday, September 19, Rob Rue, the mayor of Springfield, released a statement, and said, “Ensuring the safety of Springfield’s residents is our top priority.” He added, “We are addressing these threats with the seriousness they warrant and are taking immediate steps to ensure the security of both our community and our employees. Our commitment to preventing harm is unwavering.”
According to the city statement, the proclamation allows city officials to “swiftly acquire resources needed to address potential threats” and will “enable departments to respond more efficiently to emerging risks, including civil unrest, cyber threats and potential acts of violence.”
In the days following the claims made by Trump, Vance, and fellow Republican politicians, the city received over 30 bomb threats against schools, homes of city officials, and government buildings. On Tuesday, Vance defended his comments towards Haitian immigrants at a Wisconsin rally saying, “the media has a responsibility to factcheck.”
To add on, local outlets have reported multiple clinics and grocery stores across the city being forced to evacuate because of bomb threats. According to The Guardian article addressing the matter, “The establishments forced to evacuate were as follows: “two branches of Walmart, one Kroger supermarket, as well as the Pregnancy Resource Center of Clark county and Planned Parenthood in Springfield.”
To conclude, Rue informed reporters of the fact that it would be difficult for either presidential candidate to visit his city, saying, “Should (Trump) choose to change his plans, it would convey a significant message of peace to the city of Springfield. We’ve asked many times that those with the national spotlight with a national microphone would speak truth. And we need help and not hate.”
Sources: CNN News, The Guardian