Haitian immigrants in Springfield spoke out Saturday about the danger they feel in their community as the city remains at the center of the national debate on immigration.
The Haitian Times and the Haitian Community Help and Support Center organized a conversation with activists, journalists and Haitian residents in Springfield to respond to claims without evidence spread online. Some of the posts were shared by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance. On Tuesday, former president Donald Trump tossed the city into the national spotlight claiming that Haitian immigrants are eating pets.
The Saturday event was originally planned to be in-person in Springfield, but the organizers decided to make it virtual due to security concerns, Macollvie Neel, executive editor of the Haitian Times, said. Springfield City Hall and two elementary schools were evacuated this week after receiving bomb threats. On Saturday, threats forced lockdowns and two area hospitals.
“I don’t know what happened with the bomb threats?” Trump told reporters on Saturday. “I know that it’s been taken over by illegal migrants.”