Bomb Threats in Springfield, Ohio, Linked to False Migrant Claims

On September 12, local and federal law enforcement in Springfield, Ohio, responded to a bomb threat that affected several facilities in the area. This incident comes amid a heated national debate on immigration, fueled by unfounded claims concerning Haitian migrants that were brought to light by Donald Trump during a recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The authorities first became aware of the bomb threat around 8:24 a.m. on Thursday, when an email was sent to multiple agencies as well as various media outlets. The threat led to an urgent response from both local and regional law enforcement, prompting the precautionary evacuation of City Hall.

Facilities that were evacuated included City Hall, a driver’s examination station, an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) facility, the Springfield Academy of Excellence, and Fulton Elementary School. Allison Elliott, the chief of Springfield police, confirmed that these locations were cleared by explosive-detecting K9 units during a brief press conference.

Additional facilities in the vicinity were also evacuated and searched as a safety measure. City Hall was announced to remain closed for the day but is set to reopen the following day.

The City Commission released a statement emphasizing the importance of public safety, urging community members to avoid the area around City Hall and to report any suspicious activity they might observe. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and residents,” the commission stated. “We are working to address this situation as swiftly as possible.”

Authorities are currently investigating the source of the threat and are collaborating with the FBI’s office in Dayton, Ohio. This troubling incident follows remarks made by Trump, who repeated baseless and derogatory assertions implying that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were harming pets. He made these comments during his debate against Vice President Harris, claims echoed by his running mate, JD Vance.

The Springfield community, home to around 58,000 residents, has actively pushed back against these claims. City Manager Bryan Heck expressed disappointment in a recorded statement, noting how misinformation on social media alongside political statements has distorted the narrative surrounding the city. He emphasized that while the area does face challenges due to the rapid growth of its immigrant population, these issues are not rooted in the unfounded rumors circulating online.

During a press conference, Mayor Robe Rue elaborated on the situation, clarifying that the misleading claims about Haitian migrants derive from a specific incident involving the arrest of a woman in Canton, Ohio. Allexis T. Ferrell, 27, is accused of brutally killing and consuming a cat, which the mayor indicated has been inappropriately linked to the broader Haitian community.

Furthermore, the mayor stated there have been no verified incidents of immigrants engaging in illegal activities like squatting or littering. He highlighted that there are an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants in the Springfield area, driven primarily by job opportunities. However, this increase in population has strained local healthcare, education, and housing systems.

In the wake of the bomb threat, the non-profit organization Haitian Bridge, which advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, denounced the inflammatory rhetoric from Trump and the Ohio senator. “We are disgusted that bad actors are attempting to gain political points at the expense of defaming an already targeted community,” they stated in a press release. “Haitian migrants have been the backbone of so much of what makes this country great.”

The organization further emphasized their continuous efforts to support the Haitian community in Springfield during these challenging times and called on leaders to refrain from using harmful language that fosters division and animosity.

Source: UPI