False Conspiracy on Haitian Migrants Sparks Chaos in Ohio
Springfield, Ohio — A baseless claim has sparked significant controversy and tension in Springfield, Ohio, recently, involving Haitian migrants allegedly consuming domestic pets. The rumours, which gained traction after being amplified by former President Donald Trump, have been thoroughly debunked by local authorities and eyewitnesses.
The origins of the rumour trace back to a Facebook post by Springfield resident Erika Lee, who alleged that a cat belonging to a neighbour's daughter was killed and prepared for consumption outside a house occupied by Haitian immigrants. Lee later admitted to NBC News that the story was unverified and had been recounted to her fourth-hand. Expressing regret, Lee stated, “It just exploded into something I didn’t mean to happen.” She highlighted that she received the information from a friend's neighbour, adding a layer of hearsay to the already dubious claim.
This misinformation reached a larger audience when Trump brought it up during a rally in Tucson, Arizona. Addressing his supporters, Trump claimed, “They’re taking the geese. You know where the geese are? In the park, in the lake. And even walking off with their pets.” Despite lacking evidence, Trump reiterated similar points during a subsequent presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. Both times, he asserted that Haitian migrants were consuming household pets, remarks that were met with shock and amusement by Harris.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife clarified one incident cited as supporting evidence: a man seen carrying two geese. According to the agency, the man was merely collecting geese that had been hit by a car in Columbus, which is about 45 minutes away from Springfield. The division confirmed the man required no special documentation for the geese and had no plans to consume them. There is also no evidence that the man is of Haitian descent or an immigrant.
John Legend, a musician and native of Springfield, publicly refuted Trump’s statements. Through a video message, Legend stated: “Nobody’s eating cats, nobody’s eating dogs. We all just want to live and flourish.” His sentiments echoed throughout social media as Springfield's citizens sought to correct the growing misinformation.
The damaging rumours have had real-world implications. Two hospitals in Springfield, Kettering Health Springfield and Mercy Health Springfield Regional Medical Center, received bomb threats over the weekend, apparently linked to the circulating false claims. Both hospitals were temporarily put on lockdown, with searches revealing no credible threats. A statement from Mercy Health commended the swift response from Springfield police and their staff.
Earlier bomb threats had also targeted local government buildings, causing temporary closures and evacuations of schools. The Springfield police issued a statement emphasising their commitment to community safety, acknowledging the strain of the past days' events.
Springfield’s Haitian community has felt the brunt of these unfounded allegations firsthand. Since 2017, approximately 15,000 Haitian migrants have come to the city, lured by job opportunities in local produce packaging and machining factories, which faced labour shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorities and community leaders continue to work to dispel the misinformation and promote a sense of unity in the wake of the controversy. As Springfield Police reiterated, the safety and well-being of all residents remain their utmost priority amidst this period of unrest.
Source: Noah Wire Services