Bomb threats following false claims targeting Haitians continue to disrupt Springfield 

Public schools and municipal buildings were closed for a second day in Springfield, Ohio, following bomb threats on Friday due to false claims about the city’s growing Haitian population. 

“All affected buildings have been evacuated as a precaution,” City spokesperson Karen Graves said in an email statement. “Authorities, with the assistance of explosive detection canines, conducted inspections and cleared the facilities listed in the threats.”

According to Graves, an email bomb threat also targeted several city commissioners and a municipal employee. A second email expanded the threats to multiple locations, including City Hall, several schools, and local government offices.

The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating the origin of the email threats, which have created significant unrest in the city, located just west of Columbus, and triggered fear in the Haitian community. 

It was a tense mood Thursday and Friday at the local chapter of the NAACP in Springfield. Denise Williams, president of the chapter, said to The Haitian Times she feared a riot might erupt.

“I’ve been here 37 years and I know what the atmosphere feels like,” Williams said.“I know how it feels, what it smells like. I know what it sounds like.”

Williams, who was present during the 1968 Dayton riots, recalled how white rioters attacked and killed her cousin. 

“You can see the fire; you can hear the guns going off,” she said. LI’ve been in the middle of riots at my school when the Blacks had to stay on one side, the [whites] on the other side. I’m uneasy. I don’t want to see this happening here.”

Authorities closed off the downtown area where the local chapter is located for the weekend. 

Due to the threats, The Haitian Times has had to cancel a previously scheduled community conversation slated for Saturday. The event will be moved online with an undisclosed registration link and closed access to maintain the safety of participants.

Trump and Vance spread false claims, racial rhetoric 

Springfield has become the focal point of a political firestorm, fueled by baseless claims that Haitian immigrants are responsible for criminal activities, including the theft and consumption of household pets. Local officials and police have confirmed that there is no credible evidence supporting any of the claims circulating about the Haitian community.

Still, the unfounded rumors were amplified by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, during Tuesday’s presidential debate with Kamala Harris. Vance has also falsely claimed there has been a “massive rise in communicable diseases” in Springfield due to the influx of Haitian immigrants. 

Clark County Combined Health District Commissioner Chris Cook refuted this, stating, “We have not seen a substantial increase in all reportable communicable diseases. In fact, we’re at the lowest rate since 2016.”

Fear heightened among Haitians, official support pledged

The false accusations have not only brought national attention to Springfield but also created an atmosphere of fear for many Haitian residents. Some families have reported feeling unsafe, with incidents of online bullying, intimidation and physical harassment occurring in recent days.

“It’s very scary. I blocked comments on my page,” said S.P., a community activist who wished to remain anonymous due to fear. “People are calling me from block IDs, I don’t know who they are. It’s scary. ”

Community leaders — in Springfield, across the U.S. and in Haiti — have condemned the racist narratives. Haitian Americans and their supporters have called on authorities to protect the community from such racist rhetoric, emphasizing the long-standing contributions of Haitian immigrants to local economies.

Many Ohio officials and local residents have also come out in support of their Haitian neighbors. “Haitians are hardworking individuals seeking a better life,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said while pledging additional resources to ensure the safety of all residents.

As the investigations into the threats continue, Springfield remains on high alert, with schools and public buildings under increased security measures.

Local police, in cooperation with the FBI, are working to trace the origins of the bomb threats. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant but not panic, assuring the public that safety measures are in place. So far, no explosives have been found, and all buildings targeted in the threats have been cleared.  

City officials are also continuing to fight the spread of false information, emphasizing that the accusations against the Haitian community are entirely unsubstantiated. Leaders are also calling for calm and unity.

The post Bomb threats following false claims targeting Haitians continue to disrupt Springfield  appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Bomb threats following false claims targeting Haitians continue to disrupt Springfield  was first posted on September 14, 2024 at 11:23 am.