Springfield, Ohio, Feels Darker Since Trump Raised Debate Issues, Locals Say

• Springfield is in the spotlight after Trump claimed immigrants were eating pets.
• Residents report a tense and dangerous atmosphere in the town.
• Locals share their experiences living in this now high-profile community.

“The last time our town made national news was when they decided which Springfield would be considered the official home of ‘The Simpsons,’” said Sara Bear, a 39-year-old resident of Springfield. “We lost,” she added with a chuckle.

However, this once-quiet town in Ohio, nestled between Dayton and Columbus, has recently garnered attention for a different reason entirely.

After former President Donald Trump mentioned Springfield during a presidential debate, claiming Haitian immigrants were eating pets, residents have reported a surge in tension—one that some believe could be dangerous.

Much of this heightened atmosphere is unfolding online. The Springfield Community Facebook group, which was once a simple platform for discussing local events and restaurant recommendations, is now filled with heated debates, name-calling, and rampant misinformation.

The chaos intensified after Trump’s comments during the debate. He stated, “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people who came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”

Despite the moderator clarifying that local officials found “no credible reports” supporting Trump’s claim, residents like Bear feel the damage has already been done.

Bear mentioned that the atmosphere has become so charged that restaurants are now receiving prank calls inquiring about whether they serve cats on their menus. Additionally, a bomb threat directed at Springfield City Hall, which included “hateful language” targeting Haitian immigrants, caused a temporary closure of the building.

“I just worry that Springfield will be remembered for something so absurd and hateful,” Bear said. “It’s a town of about 60,000 people, and we have real issues that deserve thoughtful discussion.”

While some residents share concerns about immigration’s impact on local social services and infrastructure, Bear feels that the ongoing heated rhetoric overshadows the possibility of meaningful discourse.

Jessica Eikleberry, a 35-year-old IT technician, expressed her growing alarm at the rising racial tensions within Springfield, saying, “This town used to be seen as welcoming and friendly, but now I worry it has become a place where I no longer feel safe as a person of color.”

Eikleberry, of Korean heritage, along with her Mexican fiancé and biracial child, now contemplates moving her family out of Springfield due to the escalating hostility. “It’s frightening,” she explained. “The tension has reached a point where you feel unsafe just walking out of your house.”

Another resident, 24-year-old therapist Olivia Parkinson, fears that the town could gain a reputation as a “hotbed of racism.” She recalled recent protests by individuals displaying Nazi flags that were fueled by the anti-immigrant sentiment circulating online.

Parkinson shared her concerns for the local college’s future as its reputation may deter prospective students due to the increased scrutiny surrounding the town.

As the community grapples with its changing image, residents have voiced worries that the ongoing situation is affecting local businesses, as many people are hesitant to visit or invest in Springfield.

“There are many positive aspects of living here, and I choose to stay despite the challenges,” Parkinson noted, also highlighting the efforts of some locals who actively support the Haitian community.

Marjory Wentworth, an author involved in cultural projects with local Haitians, expressed deep concern over the misrepresentation of this group. She feels that the Haitian community is being used as a scapegoat for political purposes. “They are doing their best to provide for their families like anyone else,” Wentworth said, remarking on the tragedy of the situation.

For Marco Lapaix, a Haitian immigrant in Springfield, the quest for a better life has been fraught with challenges. He has faced discrimination and unkindness while trying to establish a business. “I just want to live my life here in peace,” Lapaix stated. “But with the kind of national rhetoric we’re seeing, it feels like an uphill battle.”

“I’m angry. I’m scared,” Lapaix concluded. “Yet I know that we must keep fighting to be accepted here.”

Source: Business Insider