‘Stand in solidarity’: Haitian community comes together amid tensions

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Tensions continue to rise in Springfield, and the immigrant community has been looking to their leaders for answers.

The Haitian Community Help and Support Center held a meeting on Saturday, with the goal to talk with residents and ease their minds. 2 NEWS attended, speaking with leaders beforehand and hearing from members of the community during the meeting.

After a series of threats over the last several days, the Haitian Community Help and Support Center initially planned to meet in person, but instead met virtually as a safety precaution. Event organizers say they wanted to reach out to the community members to answer any questions they have to help ease their minds.

“With the bomb threats and everything that is going on, Haitians are not safe in Springfield anymore,” a community member said.

The last few days have been host to a series of threats aimed at the city of Springfield — as well as the immigrant community that lives there.

Haitian residents are uncertain of what’s next, and attended the virtual meeting where they could hear questions answered by their leaders to try and clear the air.

“We are here to listen to their voice, and bring their concerns wherever they can be heard, so we can stand in solidarity with each other,” said Viles Dorsainvil, president of the Haitian Support Center. “I am hoping that in the days ahead, this will be behind us.”

Haitian leaders spoke with members of the international community as well, in an effort to strengthen the local community’s resolve in the face of these challenges.

And to help them face this growing uncertainty, those in the surrounding area also traveled to Springfield to show support, and to speak about how the American government could be doing more to help the community.

“The American government is legally allowing people to come to Ohio, particularly Springfield, then the federal government should be responsible for providing resources and not placing strain on the local municipality,” said Dr. Bakari Lumumba, a Columbus resident.

Community leaders hope that with the voices they brought together for this meeting, they can push through these tough times and come out stronger.

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