(CNN) –– 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 grant Mayor Rob Rue temporary emergency powers to obtain and mobilize resources, and address potential threats.
“This will allow departments to respond more efficiently to emerging risks, including civil unrest, cyber threats, and potential acts of violence,” the announcement says.
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Former President Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants steal and eat local pets caused complications for this small Midwestern city. 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 CNN’s request for more information about the threats.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed to CNN that two of its Springfield locations were “temporarily evacuated” this Wednesday “by order of local police.” Additionally, the Clark County Pregnancy Resource Center, a local Kroger supermarket and a Planned Parenthood center also received threats on Wednesday, reported CNN affiliate WHIO.
In response to the threats, several area universities 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 addressing 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 CNN’s Jim Acosta that since the debate “it’s been complete chaos.” Ruby said he spoke with local officials Thursday and they told him “more threats are developing at this time.”
“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 call on the groups that are here for reasons of hate that they leave our city,” he said.
Ruby said that while he agrees with President Biden’s stance on immigration and refugees because it aligns with his 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 talked to city leaders this morning and we need $5 million to $10 million right now,” Ruby said.
Rue later told CNN, “It would be very difficult for either candidate 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 city “in the next two weeks” and criticized Rue for not expelling immigrants.
In your 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 stated, referring to a program that the Biden Government launched in 2023 to create more legal avenues of entry to the United States.
To qualify, participants must be evaluated and have a sponsor in the country. More than 210,000 Haitians obtained permission to enter the United States through the program, according to data published this week by the United States Customs and Border Protection.
–– CNN’s Catherine Shoichet, Dana Bash and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
