AFT President Weingarten and Ohio Federation of Teachers President Cropper: Springfield Community Needs Help, Not Hate

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten and Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper respond to the continued lies and political vitriol directed at the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio:

"The Springfield community needs help, not hate. Instead of working with city leaders to address issues like affordable housing, healthcare access, education and transportation, divisive politicians like JD Vance, Donald Trump and Senate candidate Bernie Moreno have been spreading hatred in a cynical attempt to score political points.

"There is no place in a civilized nation for conduct like Vance's bald-faced admission that he is telling lies to fuel bigotry, and Trump's planned visit to Springfield to fan the flames. The candidates' deeply racist remarks are unacceptable on their face, but the consequences are real: They have incited bomb threats and led to an influx of white supremacist groups.

"We stand with the Springfield community-including educators, healthcare workers, migrant advocates, and city and state officials-as they work constructively to address their city's growing pains while remaining a welcoming home for Haitian migrants, many of whom have fled violence. We commend Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for correctly labeling these stories as 'garbage that was simply not true' and for denouncing the hate groups that are descending on Springfield.

"The United States was built on immigration. We look after our neighbors and believe in a shared future. We stand with all of Springfield's residents as they resist the forces of darkness and demagoguery determined to exploit their city for rank political gain."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.