Editing Springfield, Ohio (section)

==== National attention ====
{{Main article|Springfield pet-eating hoax}}

In 2024, the city drew international attention over [[Springfield pet-eating hoax|baseless claims about local Haitian immigrants]], leading to dozens of bomb threats that forced school evacuations, government office closures, and other disruptions.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last1=Rozzelle |first1=Josephine |last2=Breuninger |first2=Kevin |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine says 'at least 33' bomb threats prompt Springfield to begin daily school sweeps |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917123730/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> On August 26, police received a report of Haitians stealing geese, for which neither law enforcement officials nor the [[Ohio Department of Natural Resources]] found any evidence or suspects.<ref name="ORO">{{cite news | last = Orozco | first = Jessica | date = September 11, 2024 | title = County: No evidence of August claim that Haitians took geese at Springfield park | url = https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | work = Springfield News-Sun | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911220949/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="CDR">{{cite web | title = Call Detail Report | publisher = Clark County Communication Center | date = August 26, 2024 | url = https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911121712/https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | url-status = live }}</ref> Soon thereafter, a rumor about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield went viral. Springfield authorities debunked the rumor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernal |first1=Rafael |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Vance pushes false accusations of Haitians eating pets |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910201726/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The claims were amplified by [[JD Vance]], a U.S. senator from Ohio and Republican vice-president, other Republican politicians, and right-wing commentators.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferris|first=Layla|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|title=JD Vance repeats baseless claim Haitian immigrants are eating pets as Ohio officials say there is no evidence|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192054/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Maher|first=Kit|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|title=Vance says false claim he spread against Haitian migrants may not be true but urges followers to keep posting 'cat memes'|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910185039/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ingram|first=David|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|title=Ohio police have 'no credible reports' of Haitian immigrants harming pets, contradicting JD Vance's claim|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911215439/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Demissie|first=Hannah|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|title=Vance magnifies false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910020622/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="clevelandarticle">{{cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Some Springfield locals say top Republicans are lying about Haitian immigrants in town |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/09/some-springfield-locals-say-top-republicans-are-lying-about-haitian-immigrants-in-town.html?outputType=amp |accessdate=September 13, 2024 |website=The Plain Dealer}}</ref> On September 10, Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] amplified the claims during [[2024 United States presidential debates#September 10: Second presidential debate (ABC, Philadelphia)|his presidential debate]] with [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arkin|first1=Daniel|last2=Ingram|first2=David|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|title=Trump pushes baseless claim about immigrants 'eating the pets'|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911015459/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reinstein|first1=Julia|last2=Demissie|first2=Hannah|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|title=Trump pushes false claim that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030634/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baio|first=Ariana|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|title=Trump repeats false pet-eating claims leaving Harris dumbfounded as Republican nominee goes off rails|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030623/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the following week, Trump repeated and embellished his lies,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump got back on track with the border. Then he started talking about the dogs (and geese). |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |website=Politico |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913223725/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Trump drags new animal into false claims Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914043722/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |url-status=live }}</ref> adding a vow to mass-deport "migrants" from Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trump vows mass deportation of migrants in Springfield, dismisses threats to town |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915135417/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators began making dozens of [[bomb threat]]s to Springfield schools, city officials and employees, and municipal offices, forcing several days of evacuations, lockdowns, closures, and cancellations.<ref name=":52"/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lozano |first1=Alicia |last2=Li |first2=David |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Bomb threats force second consecutive day of school closures in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913172645/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessia |last2=Kelley |first2=Jeremy |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Springfield City Hall, schools, county hit by bomb threat tied to Haitian issues |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[Springfield News-Sun]] |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912170953/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Helmore |first1=Edward |date=September 14, 2024 |title=More bomb threats hit Springfield, Ohio, after Trump elevates false claims about Haitians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |url-status=live }}</ref> Five schools were evacuated during their school days, and two more closed for a day. [[Springfield City Hall (Ohio)|City Hall]] and several municipal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Lydia |date=September 13, 2024 |title=More Springfield schools evacuated after threats, officials say |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914013604/https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |url-status=live }}</ref> and county buildings<ref name=":1" /> were closed for one or more days. Two hospitals were locked down for part of a day.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=4 days of threats in Springfield: What happened from Thursday to today |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916215322/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two local colleges moved classes online for one or more days.<ref name=":4" /> The episode drew national and international attention to Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump repeats baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914180635/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany rejects Trump's energy claim, mocks him over pets – DW – 09/11/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=Deutshe Welle |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181330/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Haitian immigrant pet-eating row: Ohio woman accused of eating cat is US citizen, video is not from Springfield |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035121/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Haitian Americans in Springfield have faced race-based attacks due to these claims.<ref name="HaitianTimes2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Immigrants in Ohio Under Racist Attacks |url=https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Haitian Times |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192701/https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reuters2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Americans Fear for Their Safety After Trump Repeats False Claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/haitian-americans-fear-their-safety-after-trump-repeats-false-claims-about-2024-09-11/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="BinNews2024">{{cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Springfield Haitians Face Racist Attacks Following Trump, Vance Comments |url=https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=Bin News |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181149/https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Donald Trump]] won the [[2024 United States presidential election]], some Haitians expressed an interest in moving out of Springfield.<ref>{{cite web|last=Starr|first=Stephen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/17/haitian-immigrants-springfield-ohio-trump-election|title=Haitian immigrants flee Springfield, Ohio, in droves after Trump election win|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 17, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>