Trump’s false claims about Springfield were followed by bomb threats. Some Haitians may leave

Updated September 19, 2024 at 11:52 AM ET

Many in Springfield, Ohio, have been feeling unwell over the past week.

A series of bomb threats led to the closure of city and school buildings. Public events were canceled. And state police were sent out to guard students on their way to school.

These developments follow former President Donald Trump’s repetition of debunked claims on national television that Haitian migrants eat pets. Local city and police officials have said there is no evidence this is happening.

The false claims were originally spread online by far-right activists, neo-Nazis and some local Republicans. Although local police claimed the allegations were unfounded, NPR reported earlier this monthThey were eventually shared on social media by Trump’s running mate and Senator JD Vance of Ohio, and then repeated by the former president on the debate stage.

Members of the Haitian community, many of whom arrived in the past four years, are concerned about their safety, said Viles Dorsainvil, who lives there and runs the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. Morning edition.

“We are wondering whether we should stay here or go somewhere else,” Dorsainvil said.

Dorsainvil has lived in Springfield for four years. The nonprofit he runs, founded less than a year ago, helps new arrivals from Haiti find housing and jobs, as well as language services and social assistance that some can receive because of their temporary protected status.

This status protects them from deportation and gives them legal permission to work given the unstable conditions in their home country.

How fear has permeated the Haitian community

Trump’s comments during his debate with Vice President Harris caused a shock among the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 migrants who now call Springfield their home.

Families are afraid to go out or send their children to school or church, Dorsainvil said. He added that some are afraid to hail cars through ride-sharing apps because they don’t know who will pick them up or what they plan to do.

And some are thinking about giving up large financial investments they have made.

“There are some homeowners who want to sell their homes back just to leave,” Dorsainvil said. “I asked them to take some time to see if we can get through this together by [that] We have the solidarity of city officials and police, as well as local and church leaders.”

Bomb threats and event cancellations keep local politicians busy

Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos/AP / AP

/

AP

Between last Thursday and Monday, there were at least 33 bomb threats against various buildings in the city, Governor Mike DeWine said at a press conference this week. All of these threats were false.

The threats began on the morning of September 12 and forced Springfield City Hall and several other buildings are evacuated and closedreports NPR member station WYSO.

Earlier this week, Springfield canceled its Downtown CultureFest, an event celebrating the region’s diversity, scheduled for late September due to safety concerns. Wittenberg University also canceled all sporting events through next weekend and The lessons were held entirely via distance learning.

On Tuesday, DeWine dispatched state troopers and explosive detection dogs to schools and called on concerned parents to send their children to class after visitor numbers had declined.

Governor concerned: City’s housing and medical needs are being overlooked

DeWine, a Republican, contradicted Trump’s claims in an interview with Morning editionand said that “there’s a lot of crazy stuff on the Internet.”

DeWine said the focus should be on how the city is trying to adapt to such rapid population growth after years of decline. The city of about 60,000 residents has grown thanks to the thousands of Haitians who have come to town, some of whom were encouraged to move here by their families and local employers.

The newcomers have helped to fill jobs due to a labour shortage.

However, rising rents have made it more difficult for people in the city to receive basic health care and find housing, DeWine said.

He added that many long-time residents are concerned about whether the newcomers can drive safely. Last August, a Haitian migrant drove without a valid driver’s license collided with a school buswhich resulted in the death of 11-year-old Aiden Clark.

The driver was found guilty of manslaughter. Clark’s parents have specifically asked Trump, Vance and other politicians to stop mentioning their son’s name at political events.

Anecdotally, migrant drivers suffer a higher accident rate. According to a FAQ from the city of SpringfieldIn response, the city has launched driver training courses for newcomers who have no driving experience.

The head of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles said migrant drivers must go through the same process to get a driver’s license as all Ohio residents. Ohio’s Statehouse News Bureau reported earlier this month.

Last week, before the presidential debate, DeWine announced new public safety and health support for the city, including deploying Ohio State Highway Patrol officers to the city and providing $2.5 million to expand access to area health care and other supportive services.

“We just have to solve this problem. We need some help from the federal government,” DeWine said.

Vance defended the spread of false rumors that put Springfield in the national spotlight during an interview with CNN on Sunday.

“If I have to make up stories to get the American media to actually pay attention to the suffering of the American people, then I will do that,” Vance said. On Wednesday, he said that Haitian migrants with TPS this status was granted unlawfully and that this would change under a second Trump administration.

Dorsainvil said he understands why locals and others are concerned about how the city will accommodate both newcomers and longtime residents and hopes to work on solutions. But after the fear felt over the past week, he just wants those spreading the debunked claims to stop.

Copyright: NPR