1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

As citizens concerned about the well-being of our communities, we urge you to condemn the inflammatory rhetoric of Senator JD Vance regarding the Haitian immigrant population in Springfield, Ohio. His unfounded accusations and fearmongering have directly contributed to a climate of hostility, emboldening extremist groups like neo-Nazis and white supremacists. This has led to a disturbing rise in threats, vandalism, and harassment towards the Haitian community, disrupting their lives and undermining the values of inclusion and respect that our nation stands for. Vance's statements about Haitian immigrants "overwhelming" the city and straining resources are not only divisive but also factually inaccurate. They perpetuate harmful stereotypes and breed intolerance towards a vulnerable group seeking a better life. Such rhetoric from an elected official is unacceptable and has real-world consequences, as evidenced by the recent influx of extremists to Springfield and the climate of fear they have created. We implore you to take a firm stance against Vance's inflammatory language and the normalization of hate speech. His actions have undermined the safety and well-being of the Haitian community in Springfield and have no place in our democratic society. It is imperative that our leaders promote unity, understanding, and respect for all, regardless of their background or immigration status. We urge you to publicly censure Senator Vance for his divisive and dangerous rhetoric and to work towards fostering an environment of inclusivity, compassion, and equal opportunity for all residents of our nation.