At the heart of unfounded racist rumors, the small American town of Springfield, Ohio, is the scene of political wars tearing the United States apart in the midst of the presidential campaign opposing Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. No fewer than 33 bomb threats have been recorded in a few days, indicated on Monday, September 16, Mike DeWine, the governor of this state in the north-east of the United States, relayed by theAgence France-Presse (AFP).
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About thirty bomb alerts
Launched on social networks and spread by Republicans, these rumors claim that Haitian immigrants – who have arrived in the city by the thousands in recent years thanks to a municipal plan to attract workers – steal cats, dogs and other pets to eat them.
Despite denials from the police and authorities, the resumption of these rumors by Republican candidate Donald Trump during the televised debate against Kamala Harris on September 10 helped to reinforce an extremely tense atmosphere in the city, with Haitians on the ground fearing racist violence.
All 33 threats received turned out to be false and “some came from a particular country”said – without naming him – the governor of Ohio, quoted by theAFP. “We believe this is a new opportunity to disrupt the United States.”he added, without giving further details on the alerts received.
Schools evacuated
Schools and City Hall have been evacuated following the threats, and the mayor says he has received death threats. DeWine did not say whether his tally also included threats of violent action and the bomb threat Monday at the Ohio Capitol in Columbus.
Two schools were evacuated in Springfield on Monday, according to local media, but authorities did not immediately give a reason for their closure, reports theAFP.
The Republican governor, who has distanced himself from Donald Trump’s comments and rumors “ridiculous” relayed by members of his party, announced the deployment around the city’s schools of 36 police officers usually assigned to road checks in the state. “These discussions about Haitians eating dogs, cats or anything else must stop”he called.
Trump’s running mate persists with anti-immigrant rhetoric
“We condemn all violence and threats,” conceded Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance. “But it must also be said that these terrible problems were caused by Kamala Harris’ open borders policy in Springfield.”he attacked, thus continuing to give credence to racist rumors.
“I have heard about ten things from my constituents in Springfield, Ohio, ten of which can be verified and confirmed.”he said. “For some of them, these are direct first-hand accounts, such as migrants seizing geese from a park to slaughter and eat them.”added the candidate for vice-president of the United States.
15,000 Haitian immigrants
Springfield, which is overwhelmingly white, has seen its population grow in recent years. Fleeing the terrible crisis in their country, about 15,000 Haitians have emigrated to this city, which had fewer than 60,000 inhabitants in 2020, attracted by its good economic health. The social frustrations of some of the city’s residents have ended up degenerating into racist rumors that, in this very close presidential campaign, have gained national resonance.
“The Haitians are in Springfield legally. They came to work. Ohio is growing and Springfield is really having a renaissance with a lot of businesses moving there.”insisted Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
“These Haitians came to work in these companies and they tell us that they are excellent employees and that they are very satisfied to have them because frankly it contributes to the economy.”defended the head of the local executive.
