A conversation between neighbors in Springfield, Ohio has sparked a national media storm after a misstated social media post claimed that Haitian immigrants were killing and eating pets. Erika Lee and Kimberly Newton, who live next to each other in a usually quiet neighborhood, now fear for their safety due to the backlash. Springfield, once a booming industrial community, has seen an increase in its population with the arrival of Haitian immigrants over the past four years. Estimates suggest that anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 Haitians have settled in the city during this period. The controversy began when Lee wrote a facebook post based on information she received from Newton about her daughter’s friend losing her cat. The post alleged that Haitians living nearby had hung the cat from a branch and were carving it up for food. Conservative-leaning accounts shared the post on social media platforms, leading to widespread attention before President Donald Trump mentioned it during a presidential debate. However, city officials and law enforcement have dismissed these claims as false. Despite apologies from Lee and clarification from Newton about what was actually said during their conversation, both women have faced threats and harassment as a result of the incident. While some residents have testified about incidents involving Haitian immigrants killing animals at city council meetings earlier this year, there is no credible evidence supporting these claims according to local authorities. As attention continues to focus on this controversy surrounding pet killings by Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Newton hopes that efforts will be directed towards finding solutions for issues such as transportation infrastructure and healthcare as the immigrant population grows in the city.
Threats Arise from Facebook Post on Cat-Killing Allegation in Springfield, Ohio
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