Springfield Schools Evacuated Again Over Threats Following Trump’s Claims

Springfield, Ohio, is facing heightened tensions as two more schools and two college campuses were evacuated due to an alarming rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric. This situation has been fueled in part by former President Donald Trump and his associates.

On Monday, Wittenberg University and Clark State College announced that they would transition to virtual classes for the week and cancel all on-campus events following threats that they received.

The Springfield City School District has also taken precautionary measures, relocating students from Simon Kenton Elementary School and Kenwood Elementary School to different facilities. This decision came after information was gathered from local law enforcement, though officials did not disclose the specifics of the threats.

According to a public bulletin from Clark State College, an email threat was received late Saturday that indicated possible gun violence. The following day, another email claiming a bomb threat to the Springfield campus was reported.

Wittenberg University confirmed it is dealing with ongoing threats and is currently working with local police and the FBI to assess the situation.

Recently, Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been the target of a barrage of racist conspiracy theories, spurred by months of agitation from far-right groups, potentially tied to the Ku Klux Klan.

The situation worsened last week when Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, promoted unfounded claims suggesting that Haitian residents were consuming pets such as dogs and cats. This incitement led to threats of violence, prompting temporary closures of government buildings, a cultural festival, and several schools.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated on Monday that law enforcement has investigated at least 33 bomb threats in the Springfield area, all of which have been deemed hoaxes, with some originating from outside the country.

“I want to reassure the parents in Springfield: these threats have all been hoaxes. None of them have proved to be valid,” DeWine emphasized.

DeWine further explained that some of the threats appear to be motivated by individuals overseas, aiming to sow chaos in the United States. “We cannot allow malevolent actors to prevail. Our schools must stay open,” he affirmed.

According to estimates, Springfield is home to between 12,000 and 20,000 Haitians. Many have relocated to the area in recent years, drawn by efforts from city and business leaders to boost the workforce in a city that has seen its population decline from approximately 80,000 in the early 1970s to below 60,000 in 2015.

This community growth has reportedly revitalized the local economy, although it has also placed additional demands on schools, health services, and housing, leading to strong local debates. The situation intensified following an incident in August 2023, when a Haitian man driving without a valid license collided with a school bus.

In a nationally televised debate last week, Trump claimed that Haitians in Springfield were “eating the dogs… they’re eating the cats,” while Senator JD Vance defended these statements, as did several other Republican figures.

However, these assertions lack any factual basis. Numerous viral images and posts heralded as evidence of animal cruelty have been debunked, and even the originator of one widely circulated Facebook post admitted to lacking proof for her claims.

Springfield’s Mayor Rob Rue addressed the media, expressing concern that he and other officials have also received threats. “It would be beneficial,” Rue stated, “if politicians recognized the impact of their words and how they can harm communities like ours.”