In response to multiple threats against residents of Springfield, home to more than 15,000 Haitian immigrants, the governor of Ohio has implemented new security measures to safeguard public buildings in the area.
Highway patrols have been deployed to secure all 18 school buildings in the Springfield district, according to a statement from Governor Mike DeWine’s office. The governor also visited patrol personnel and schools, including Simon Kenton Elementary School in Springfield.
These measures were introduced following racist attacks by Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk, who falsely accused Haitian immigrants of stealing and eating local residents’ pets. Since then, Springfield has faced numerous threats, causing schools, hospitals, and other public institutions in the area to close for several days.
“While none of the threats, including today’s, have been deemed credible, we want to reassure the students, parents, and staff of Springfield that we are here to support them and help keep our school communities safe,” said Governor Mike DeWine during his September 17 visit. “We are providing physical safety with the support of our troops and Ohio Homeland Security, and emotional safety with the help of Hope, the therapy dog,” the Republican governor added. “Every day, officers conduct thorough inspections of each building for potential threats before students and staff arrive, and they remain on-site to ensure safety throughout the school day and at dismissal,” the governor’s office announced.
Springfield was known as a peaceful town until the racist and false allegations from Donald Trump’s circle endangered the lives of Haitian residents.
During a presidential debate viewed by more than 67 million Americans, former President Donald Trump stated that Haitians posed a serious threat to Springfield residents: “In Springfield, they eat dogs. The people who came, they eat the cats. They eat… they eat the pets of the people who live there,” said the 78-year-old Republican candidate.
Trump wasn’t alone in these baseless accusations. His running mate, JD Vance, had tweeted the day before, accusing Haitian residents of Springfield, citing local reports of missing pets. These false accusations didn’t stop the Ohio senator from promoting them further.
Other figures, such as South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, also contributed to spreading racist attacks against Haitians.