Current:Home > StocksColleges in Springfield, Ohio, move to online instruction after threats targeting Haitians -Capitatum
Colleges in Springfield, Ohio, move to online instruction after threats targeting Haitians
Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-06 07:14:52
COLUMBUS, Ohio — University and college campuses in Springfield, Ohio, canceled activities and moved to remote instruction on Sunday after receiving threats of violence tied to false claims about the city's Haitian immigrants.
Wittenberg University canceled all sporting events and other activities on Sunday and said classes will be remote on Monday. Clark State College also canceled activities, closed all its campuses, and will conduct instruction virtually for the week.
The two schools are the latest victims after a series of threats against government offices, schools, hospitals, and other facilities. The city of Springfield was thrust into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, began sharing misinformation about immigrants in the city stealing and eating pets.
"University administrators recognize that the city of Springfield has experienced an increase of threats to local government, businesses, and schools in the past week," Wittenberg officials posted to the school's website Sunday. "We take this threat seriously and will provide updates to the campus as we learn more about the situation."
Three elementary schools were evacuated, and a middle school and the City Hall were closed over the last week after receiving threatening calls and bomb threats. Bomb threats also forced two area hospitals into lockdown on Saturday.
State and local officials have repeatedly denounced the false reports, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine who on Sunday called the claims "a piece of garbage." Haitian immigrants have expressed fear and said they no longer feel safe in the community due to the threats.
‘They’re eating the dogs’:Trump echoes false anti-immigrant rumor during debate
Springfield campuses face shooting, bomb threats
Officials said Wittenberg University received a threat Saturday by email of a shooting planned for campus, which prompted the cancellation of events.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, another emailed threat warned of a bomb in a red Honda Civic, according to officials. Police removed a car matching the description from Bill Edwards Drive, which bisects the Wittenberg campus, but said nothing suspicious was found.
Wittenberg police are working with Springfield police and the FBI to investigate the threats and said they were increasing campus patrols Sunday.
The university urged students, faculty, and staff to "exercise extreme precaution," be alert to their surroundings, and report suspicious activity to Wittenberg police.
"As the University continues to assess these threats in partnership with the Springfield Police Department (SPD) and FBI, all Wittenberg classes will be remote tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 16," Wittenberg officials said in an update Sunday evening. "Faculty and staff are also expected to work remotely, except for essential employees. All events, athletics, and activities will again be canceled tomorrow."
Clark State College announced Sunday it will move from in-person classes to online virtual classes for Monday through Friday at all of its campuses, including the Springfield location. Citing "recent events in Springfield," Clark State said it was "taking proactive measures to ensure the well-being of all students, faculty and staff."
In a news release, the college said it received an email threat late Saturday via the admissions link on its website which raised concerns about a possible shooting. On Sunday, the college received an emailed bomb threat to the Springfield campus.
Clark State said it took immediate action in contacting Springfield police to ensure the campus was secure and safe. But, "out of an abundance of caution," the college said it is closing all campuses through the week and that employees should work from home. All activities were also canceled.
"We understand the anxiety that such incidents can cause and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and care," the college said on its website. "As a proactive measure, Springfield police will also increase their security presence on campus, and we are working with our wellness team and partners to provide additional counseling services."
Threats to Springfield institutions exploded after presidential debate
At Tuesday's presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again touted false claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating cats and dogs. Trump also claimed that about 20,000 Haitians in the city are there illegally, even though a majority came to the United States under the federal government's Temporary Protected Status program — fleeing gangs and economic insecurity in their home country.
On Sunday, Vance acknowledged during an interview on CNN that he has been spreading rumors. “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people then that's what I'm going to do,” he said.
DeWine, who pledged at least $2.5 million in state funding last week to help Springfield officials with health care access and road safety, called the threats to public safety of about 15,000 Haitians state officials say are in the city "a very sad thing."
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck, who said the city has found no credible reports of pets being harmed, injured or abused by members of the Haitian immigrant community, called the spreading of misinformation "disappointing."
The parents of an 11-year-old boy who was killed in a traffic crash last year caused by a Haitian immigrant said last week that an "incessant group of hate-spewing people" was using their son's death for political gain. Haitian immigrants, many of whom were invited to Springfield by employers unable to fill jobs, have said they are experiencing increased threats and harassment.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
veryGood! (44897)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Rays’ Wander Franco placed on administrative leave through June 1 as sexual abuse probe continues
- To combat bullying and extremism, Air Force Academy turns to social media sleuthing
- The White House expects about 40,000 participants at its ‘egg-ucation'-themed annual Easter egg roll
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- 'We will never forget': South Carolina Mother, 3-year-old twin girls killed in collision
- College basketball coaches March Madness bonuses earned: Rick Barnes already at $1 million
- Soccer star Vinícius Júnior breaks down in tears while talking about racist insults: I'm losing my desire to play
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a healthy 3.4% annual rate
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- House Speaker Mike Johnson will send Mayorkas impeachment to the Senate next month
- Judge rejects officers’ bid to erase charges in the case of a man paralyzed after police van ride
- Truck driver convicted of vehicular homicide for 2022 crash that killed 5 in Colorado
- Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
- Biden administration restores threatened species protections dropped by Trump
- An Oil Company Executive Said the Energy Transition Has Failed. What’s Really Happening?
- Judge rejects officers’ bid to erase charges in the case of a man paralyzed after police van ride
Recommendation
PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
Five tough questions in the wake of the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse
High court rules Maine’s ban on Sunday hunting is constitutional
March Madness games today: Everything to know about NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 schedule
Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
Women's Sweet 16 bold predictions for Friday games: Notre Dame, Stanford see dance end
Out of Africa: Duke recruit Khaman Maluach grew game at NBA Academy in Senegal
Trump backers try again to recall Wisconsin GOP Assembly speaker as first effort stalls