Springfield community members come together for peace and support for Haitian immigrants

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Nonprofit organization Red, Wine and Blue held a Zoom call to update the public on the ongoing situation in Springfield, Ohio.

The city has been engulfed in a storm of controversy following allegations from former President Donald Trump and his running mate. Senator JD Vance says Haitian immigrants are eating pets.

Officials, including the Mayor of Springfield, have repeatedly told the public that no such thing happened.

Following these claims, dozens of lies emerged about bomb and armed attack threats in the city. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

Speakers at the virtual town hall meeting included a Haitian pastor living in Springfield, local parents, teachers and members of the nearby branch of the NAACP.

“As legal immigrants living in Springfield, we are deeply hurt,” said the Rev. Madet Merove, who is also a Haitian immigrant.

“The threats just keep coming,” said Pastor Tracey Paschike-Johannes of Wittenberg University, one of the schools affected by the threat hoaxes.

The organization’s online fundraising campaign had raised more than $90,000 as of Sunday evening.

More than 2,000 people attended the call to hear the speakers and learn more about the situation in Springfield.

A spokesperson for the event said the money raised was donated to the Haiti Community Aid and Support Center and the Springfield City School District.

A mass Zoom call wasn’t the only way to bring the Springfield community together on Sunday.

Bishop William Barber organized a similar event, bringing together different religious leaders in the city of Springfield to deliver a message of unity and solidarity.

“Do not reject God by rejecting your Haitian neighbors,” Bishop Barber said.