() –– The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, issued a proclamation Thursday calling for temporary emergency powers “to mitigate public safety concerns” as false claims about Haitian immigrants continue to fuel bomb threats and the specter of violence in the community.
The proclamation would give Mayor Rob Rue temporary emergency powers to obtain and mobilize resources and address potential threats.
“This will enable departments to respond more effectively to emerging risks, including civil unrest, cyber threats and potential acts of violence,” the announcement said.
Former President Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants steal and eat local pets have caused problems for this small Midwestern town. Local authorities say they have received more than 30 threats of violence in the days since the second presidential debate.
Springfield police have not responded to ‘s request for more information about the threats.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed to that two of its Springfield locations were “temporarily evacuated” Wednesday “at the direction of local law enforcement.” Additionally, the Clark County Pregnancy Resource Center, a local Kroger supermarket and a Planned Parenthood center also received threats Wednesday, reported affiliate WHIO.
In response to the threats, several area colleges held virtual classes this week after students returned to school Tuesday with additional security from state police, including tower cameras and bomb-sniffing dogs.
“We are treating these threats with the seriousness they deserve and are taking immediate steps to ensure the safety of both our community and our employees,” Rue said in the proclamation. “Ensuring the safety of Springfield residents is our top priority.”
Carl Ruby, pastor of Springfield Central Christian Church, told ‘s Jim Acosta that since the debate, “it’s been complete chaos.” Ruby said he spoke with local officials Thursday who told him “there are more threats developing right now.”
“I want President Trump to know that I prayed for his safety this morning – he doesn’t have my vote, but he has my prayers – and I just wish that, out of the goodness of his heart, he would simply acknowledge that he was misinformed and ask the groups that are here for reasons of hate to leave our city,” he said.
Ruby said that while she agrees with President Biden’s stance on immigration and refugees because it aligns with her Christian faith, there is more the Biden administration can do to help cities like Springfield that have seen an influx of immigrants in recent years.
“I think one of the clearest ethical issues in the Bible is that we should care for immigrants, orphans and widows, and I totally agree with that. But their policy didn’t provide money and we need… I spoke to city leaders this morning and we need between $5 and $10 million right now,” Ruby said.
Rue later told : “It would be very difficult for any of the candidates to visit our community.”
Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, show no signs of backing down from their false claims about Springfield. At a campaign rally Wednesday night, Trump promised to visit the town “in the next two weeks” and criticized Rue for not deporting immigrants.
In his websiteThe city of Springfield estimates that between 12,000 and 15,000 immigrants of all nationalities live in the city and Clark County. The city also rejected claims that Haitian immigrants are “illegal.”
“Haitian immigrants are here legally, under the Immigrant Parole Program,” the city said, referring to a program the Biden administration launched in 2023 to create more legal pathways to enter the United States.
To qualify, participants must be screened and have a sponsor in the country. More than 210,000 Haitians have been granted permission to enter the United States through the program, according to the agency. data published this week by the United States Customs and Border Protection Office.
–– ’s Catherine Shoichet, Dana Bash and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
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