Springfield Ohio Sues Neo-Nazi Group Over Intimidation Campaign Against Haitian Immigrants
Springfield, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe for harassment against Haitian immigrants. The suit cites civil rights violations and seeks damages for security costs incurred during the intimidation campaign.
The city of Springfield, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against a neo-Nazi group called Blood Tribe, which has been accused of conducting a campaign of intimidation against Haitian immigrants. The suit was filed in federal court by Mayor Rob Rue, several city commissioners, and local residents.
The lawsuit alleges that Blood Tribe engaged in harassment, bomb threats, and death threats targeting individuals who supported Haitian immigrants. The plaintiffs cite the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, alleging civil rights violations and ethnic intimidation.
The Anti-Defamation League is providing legal support, and the plaintiffs seek damages for security expenses incurred due to Blood Tribe's activities. While the lawsuit does not explicitly mention former President Donald Trump or JD Vance, the leader of Blood Tribe is said to have boasted about the negative attention brought to Springfield due to false claims about Haitian immigrants.
The influx of 10,000 to 20,000 Haitians to Springfield over recent years has strained local resources, despite the majority being in the country legally. The lawsuit describes incidents where Blood Tribe members, masked and armed, gathered at events to intimidate the community.
In September, social media posts falsely claimed that Haitians were butchering cats, leading to further harassment and at least 33 bomb threats attributed to Blood Tribe members. An advocacy group has also filed criminal charges against Trump and Vance for their roles in spreading false claims that disrupted public services.
Legal representatives assert that while the lawsuit is a step forward, it is incomplete without addressing the influence of Trump and Vance on the situation in Springfield.
