Red Herrings, Intimidation, and Project 2025 in Springfield, Ohio

Springfield, Ohio, is a small city of about 60,000, settled by Europeans after the Revolutionary War. It has a history of both abolition and interracial conflict. Losing manufacturing in early 2000 resulted in population losses, from 80,000 in 1960 to 58,000 in 2020, and income, a 27% decline in median income between 1999 and 2014. Thus, like many small towns in the Midwest, Springfield was looking for ways to rebuild and grow their community.

Since 2017, following an effort to attract immigrants, up to 15,000 immigrants from Haiti settled in Springfield. Small social service agencies developed and/or expanded to address the increasing needs of new immigrants.

A school bus accident in 2023 involving a Haitian immigrant and, most recently, a false accusation that immigrants were eating local cats by Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, and amplification of the libelous cat-predation rumor by Donald Trump during the recent Presidential Debate led to increased threats of violence, groups of armed militia in the city and at community gatherings, canceling schools and community events, and acute fear in the community.

I spoke two days ago with a person heading one of the social service agencies in Springfield in a long phone call that revealed the high level of anxiety within targeted groups in Springfield.

As I asked questions, it became clear that people in the trenches and the Haitian community feel Springfield is a city under siege and unprepared for this situation. It is also clear that elected officials need closer and more empathetic communication with people in the trenches and the Haitian community.

Now, MAGA militia groups, including the Proud Boys, roam freely in the community and appear at local events. The Klan handed out flyers this weekend. I asked if there were cars/trucks with big flags. Yes, there have been many, including one with an American Flag and what looked like a Russian flag with a hammer and sickle.

Residents are concerned their safety is compromised and that their buildings, schools, and organizations are vulnerable. They worry about previously scheduled community events and have canceled events important to the community.

It is essential to center the Haitian community and those working to help them establish their lives here. Keep in mind what false accusations do to those who are most vulnerable: a targeted population that has lived through incredible difficulties in Haiti and is now experiencing an attack in their new home location. Imagine.

What are elected officials doing? JD Vance, Trump, Ohio Attorney General Yost, and the candidate opposing Sherrod Brown for Ohio Senator continue amplifying the lie and JD takes no responsibility for the outcome. Governor DeWine, is also Republican and stated he will vote for Trump, has sent Highway Patrol and gone to Springfield to see what is happening on the ground. Thus, we have GOP leaders who are both promoting and responding to this lie and its ongoing impact in Springfield. It seems reasonable to ask why the National Guard is not activated. Governor DeWine deserves support from his AG and other GOP candidates, and it seems incomprehensible that candidates running for office to represent Ohio would so disparage their state. All officials, at the very least, need to remember their oaths of office are to uphold the Constitution, help not hurt communities in Ohio, and accept that representation is necessary for a rapid and appropriate state response.

Is there more to this situation? The problems in Springfield were set in motion by JD Vance, Ohio’s Senator, and former President Trump during their presidential campaign. It has been amplified by the GOP opponent of Senator Sherrod Brown. Is it possible this community was slandered for political gain?

Another significant concern is Project 2025, an administrative planning document written by the Heritage Foundation. Many issues important to women, people of color, and other Americans are in this document. Immigration is a major target. In Project 2025 and in Trump’s rally speeches are threats of mass deportation and even denaturalization of US citizens. Trump has said this deportation effort will be bloody. It is a realistic concern that the attempt to distract us with slanderous stories has been used to gain political advantages in the Ohio Senate race and as an inexpensive, covert dress rehearsal for Project 2025.