The city of Springfield is suing a white supremacist group, accusing them of months of racist intimidation against the city and its residents.
Springfield is home to thousands of Haitian immigrants, many who fled violence, corruption, and economic instability in their home country. The city’s lawsuit claims a neo-Nazi group called the Blood Tribe began a months-long campaign of harassment and intimidation in July.
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 6 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The suit was filed on behalf of the city of Springfield, its elected officials, and multiple unnamed residents, filed by attorneys at the Anti-Defamation League, Paul Weiss, and Taft.
“It is unacceptable that outside extremists targeted and descended upon this city, sowing fear and attempting to halt the business and lives of an entire community,” Steve Sheinberg, ADL Chief Legal Officer, said in a statement. “Their threats and harassment are not just morally abhorrent, but also a clear interference with community members’ civil rights and the City of Springfield’s necessary work on behalf of its residents. We filed this lawsuit today to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused to this community.”
In a press release, plaintiffs said the harassment that the city and its residents endured includes the hate group shouting racial slurs, waving swastikas, and brandishing weapons. According to the suit, afterwards the city received at least 33 bomb threats targeting locations across the city, including elementary schools, hospitals, private residences, and government buildings. They accuse the hate group of then targeting specific Springfield residents.
“The City of Springfield will not stand idly by while hate groups like Blood Tribe attempt to terrorize our residents and violate their civil rights. This lawsuit sends a clear message that hate, intimidation, and violence, have no place in our community,” said City of Springfield Mayor Rob Rue stated.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial on nine counts, including conspiracy to violate civil rights; failure to prevent interference with civil rights; public nuisance; telecommunications harassment; menace; incitement to violence; ethnic intimidation; conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
While not cited in the press release, the conflict in Springfield spilled onto the national stage in September when President Donald Trump amplified false and racist rumors about Springfield’s Haitian community during a presidential debate.
Following the debate, WYSO reported on days of disruption, bomb threats, school closings, college classes cancelled, and more.
