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Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License  Old City Hall, at Springfield, Ohio, United States.  Date: 14 October 2007, 23:22  Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/84858864@N00/1580074910/  Author: Cindy Funk
02 Oct 2024

Unproven allegations during US election debate caused mayor to declare a State of Emergency in small US town

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How a rumour starts. Illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, executed by Chat GPT. The mayor has declared a state of emergency for the city of Springfield, Ohio, in order to calm citizens after more than 30 bomb threats were received. 

After a political candidate during a televised US presidential election debate accused migrants of eating pets, schools were closed following several  bomb threats, and racist pamphlets being distributed in the city.

On Thursday September 19, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue announced the state of emergency, explaining that it was intended to ease public concern

The declaration also allows the mayor access to additional resources to address potential threats. Local officials reported receiving over 30 threats of violence since the latest presidential debate, according to CNN.

According to The Guardian, On Thursday mayor Rob Rue released a statement, saying: “Ensuring the safety of Springfield’s residents is our top priority.” He added: 

“We are addressing these threats with the seriousness they warrant and are taking immediate steps to ensure the security of both our community and our employees. Our commitment to preventing harm is unwavering.”

“This will enable departments to respond more efficiently to emerging risks, including civil unrest, cyber threats, and potential acts of violence,” the proclamation said.

Andy Wilson, Ohio’s Director of the Department of Public Safety, stated in a Thursday news conference, "Every day we are receiving multiple bomb threats."

He also confirmed that authorities had investigated a bomb threat at Clark State College earlier that day but emphasized that it was a "hoax."

 

Springfield old city hall. Wikipedia Commons LicenseSpringfield is a city in and the county seat of Clark County,State of Ohio, in the United States. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek, about 45 miles west of Columbus and 25 miles northeast of Dayton. 

Population: 58,106 (2022) Source: Wikipedia

 

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License

Old City Hall, at Springfield, Ohio, United States.

Date: 14 October 2007, 23:22

Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/84858864@N00/1580074910/

Author: Cindy Funk

 

Illustration Credit: "How a rumour starts", illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, executed by Chat GPT.