Faith Leaders Rally in Springfield, Ohio, to Support Haitian Community Amid Increased ICE Activity
Faith leaders and community members gathered in front of Springfield City Hall in Ohio to rally in support of the Haitian community. The event, dubbed 'Unshackle Springfield,' drew approximately 300 people who held a potluck, sang songs, and discussed the impact of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in the city. Speakers from various faiths and denominations expressed solidarity, emphasizing that while immigration laws exist, enforcement should not treat innocent people as 'less than human beings.' Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center, stated that ICE activity intensified after Temporary Protected Status for Haitian migrants expired in late July, leading to the detention of two pastors and widespread fear within the community. Many Haitian residents are reportedly afraid to leave their homes, go to work, take children to school, seek medical care, or report crimes due to fear of deportation.