False rumors spread by Trump about Haitians unleash bomb threats in Ohio

The Republican repeated lies about immigrants who were eating pets.

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Ohio. El agua brota de una fuente en Fountain Square, en Springfield, Ohio, el miércoles 11 de septiembre de 2024. (Foto AP/Paul Vernon) (Paul Vernon/AP)

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, USA (AP) — Bomb threats forced schools and government buildings to be evacuated on Friday for the second consecutive day in a community in Ohio that has become the unwanted center of attention after former President Donald Trump repeated false rumors that Haitian immigrants were kidnapping and eating pets.

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A threat sent via email claimed that bombs had been placed in the residences of the mayor of Springfield and other city officials, said Karen Graves, spokesperson for the local government. A second email stated that explosives would be detonated at locations such as the Springfield City Hall, two high schools, two elementary schools, a local Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles branch, and a transit office.

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The buildings were evacuated, and authorities searched the area with explosive-detecting dogs, officials reported.

"We are committed to the safety and well-being of our community and take all threats to public safety very seriously," Graves said. "We are currently collaborating with the local FBI office in Dayton to determine the origin of these email threats."

The school district of the city of Springfield stated on Friday in a press release that "all threats to the school district of the city of Springfield are taken seriously and will be subject to the highest level of criminal prosecution. The district's message to families remains one of gratitude for their patience and understanding."

The email threats referred to the arrival of thousands of Haitian immigrants to Springfield, a city of about 60,000 inhabitants, predominantly white and working class, located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Columbus, the state capital.

In Tuesday’s presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump repeated false rumors that Haitian immigrants were eating dogs and cats. Trump’s comments echoed similar claims made by his campaign team, including his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, and other Republicans, including that immigrants were eating birds they caught in public parks.

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