Baseless rumors about Haitian immigrants threaten to unravel Springfield, Ohio
False rumors about Haitian immigrants eating pets that were boosed by Donald Trump and JD Vance are threatening to unravel Springfield, Ohio.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — It was meant to be an event to help heal the community.
Instead, Haitian residents and advocates were confronted by a small group of frustrated Springfield residents and at least one right-wing provocateur Saturday evening outside the local Haitian Community Help & Support Center.
Shouting nearly escalated into a skirmish when a group not affiliated with the Haitian community showed up outside the event, which was canceled hours before and held online out of security concerns. They questioned why so many immigrants had moved into Springfield “illegally,” a claim that city officials have repeatedly said is not true.
Haitian residents and people who had gathered to support them de-escalated the confrontation shortly before police arrived.
“It’s just so frustrating,” Colin Barclay, who is white and has lived in Springfield since 2015, said, moments after arriving at the church to help defuse the situation. “You can tell people the truth, ‘This is what’s going on,’ and unless it fits their narrative, they’re just, you know, they’re not going to listen to it.”
Rating: 5