SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) — A local community is pushing back after flames were stoked by a disturbing rumor at the first 2024 presidential debate.
During Tuesday’s debate, former president Donald Trump repeated a now-debunked claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield are stealing and eating cats and dogs. Now, people who live there say these claims are harmful and counterproductive.
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“There’s crime here just like anywhere else. But to pinpoint it on one specific community is ridiculous and ignorant,” said Sarah Young, Springfield resident.
City leaders share a similar stance. Springfield city manager Bryan Heck says it has been unfortunate to see the city being used in this way.
“It is disappointing that some of the narrative surrounding our city has been skewed by misinformation. Circulate on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric. In the current highly charged presidential election cycle,” said Heck.
Instead, city leaders say they need help. Asking state and federal leaders for additional funding to support the growing population.
There has been an increase of over 15,000 Haitian migrants, many of whom have significant medical needs according to city officials.
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Governor Mike DeWine says the city needed jobs to be filled and Haitians have been helping to fill that need.
DeWine also announced Tuesday that the state has committed $2.5 million toward helping the city with medical support while refuting claims that Springfield is against the migrants themselves.
“They are not anti-Haitian. They just are seeing problems and they want elected officials that want all of us to do everything that we can to alleviate those problems,” said DeWine.
While city and state leaders work to fix the problems they are reporting like primary health care, residents say they fighting against the negative narrative being spread this election cycle.
Springfield mayor speaks on growing Haitian community
“The rhetoric that you see online, the hate and ignorance you see online, isn’t representative of all of Springfield. That’s how I feel about that,” said Young.
The city manager also says over the next few years, they plan to build more than 2,000 housing options for their growing population.
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Source link : https://www.yahoo.com/news/city-leaders-residents-react-rhetoric-215003577.html
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Publish date : 2024-09-11 10:50:00
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