(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 2/13/2025) – The Columbus-based Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the latest racist insults directed at the Haitian Community in Springfield, Ohio, in a city commission meeting.
CAIR-Ohio expressed solidarity with the Haitian community locally and nationally as it continues to face the consequences of rumors sparked last year by President Trump and Vice President Vance.
Although City officials confirmed the baselessness of Trump’s allegations multiple times, Springfield, Ohio, has received more than 30 bomb threats, an uptick in hate crimes and Neo-Nazi rallies and campaigns, both in person and online.
The latest incident of Haitian-targeted racism occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 11, when a man reportedly made racist comments comparing the intelligence of Haitians to dogs at a city commission meeting. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and City Commissioner Krystal Brown defended their community, removing the aggressor and a supporter.
SEE: City officials push back against racist insults to Haitians at public meeting
“We condemn this racist rhetoric and all other bigoted attacks targeting the Haitian community in Springfield,” said CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Khalid Turaani. “The spread of this despicable hatred must be stopped, and we must come together as a community to repudiate all forms of bigotry. We stand in solidarity with the Haitian community as it deals with these hate incidents.”
Turaani added that CAIR expressed solidarity with the Haitian community nationwide as it has been targeted by an online racist hate campaign.
He added that CAIR-Ohio is committed to fighting bigotry and has recently condemned a banner and flags with Nazi swastikas and white supremacist statements put up by a group of neo-Nazis on a highway overpass in a historically Black community.
SEE: CAIR-Ohio Condemns Neo-Nazi Group’s Hate Event in Historically Black Neighborhood
As of February 5th, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and several other local officials filed a lawsuit on behalf of the City of Springfield against the Neo-Nazi group, Blood Tribe, for “engaging and enticing a campaign of harassment and intimidation, motivated by ethnic and racial hatred.’’
SEE: Springfield Ohio Sues Neo-Nazi Group
CAIR-Ohio is committed to pursuing any incidents of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation to protect the civil rights, dignity, and safety of all individuals, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. To report an incident, file this form.
