During a debate on Sept. 10, former president Donald Trump claimed, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.” Following these comments, the population of the city has faced hate and threats
This is a baseless claim spread online much earlier by neo-nazis and far-right activists. The Trump administration brought the rumors to the light. All and any sources say none of what is being directed towards the Haitian immigrant population of Springfield is true.
“They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame,” former president Donald Trump continued in response to prompts about immigration during ABC’s presidential debate.
JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate and Ohio republican senator, came out later to add to Trump’s claims. He admitted that he is fabricating things to get the United States to listen.
“The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do,” JD Vance said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The case being presented as evidence backing the Trump Administration’s claims is the instance of a Allexis T. Ferrell in Canton, Ohio. On Aug. 16, officers responded to the call of a woman torturing and eating a cat. Bodycam footage was captured of the incident. This 27 year old woman was identified as U.S. born with no connection to other countries. She has pleaded insanity to her fifth degree felony charge. An evaluation was requested on the basis.
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic,” Karen Graves, a Springfield official, released in response to the many accusations facing immigrants within the community.
Now, after the presidential debate, Springfield, Ohio is under an incredible amount of stress from inside the United States and out. These rumors have caused dozens of bomb threats. Young children have been kept out of school, due to parental fear over the threats of violence. Those who do attend school within Springfield are escorted by local law enforcement. City buildings and businesses have been at a halt as well.
“I think the rhetoric is hurtful. I think the rhetoric is hurtful to everybody in Springfield. The reality is, the Haitians who were there came to work,” Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, said to 3News’ sister station 10TV.
Sept.18, at Trump’s rally on Long Island, the former president said that he planned to visit Springfield in the next few weeks. In response to this, the mayor of Springfield, Rob Rue, spoke up at a news conference with other officials on the matter. Neither Rue nor DeWine directly condemned the former president’s plans to visit.
“Should [Donald Trump] choose to change his plans, it would convey a significant message of peace to the city of Springfield,” Rob Rue said.
The population of the city of Springfield, Ohio is still recovering in light of this situation. Donald Trump himself still yet has made no statement on the challenges facing the people in the fallout of his words.
