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Springfield, Ohio’s Wittenberg University has cancelled all athletic events, moved classes online and closed its campuses because of threats related to the pet-eating rumors that have been spread by former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance.
The unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio have been eating pets that were spread by Trump and Vance on national television the night of the last Presidential debate and that they have been continued to propagate has led to at least one on-campus shooting threat and a bomb threat.
The FBI is investigating the threats that were sent to Wittenberg University and multiple buildings in Springfield have had to have been evacuated over the past few days.
“The FBI is working in coordination with the Springfield police department and Wittenberg University to determine the credibility of recent threats, share information, and take appropriate investigative action,” the FBI’s Cincinnati field office said in a statement.
On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said there had been “at least 33” bomb threats made because of the rumors that were spread by the Republican Presidential ticket. Because of the threats, DeWine has sent three dozen state troopers to Springfield.
As a result of these threats, Wittenberg University has cancelled all athletic activities and all classes are being conducted remotely through at least Sunday.
Athletic teams being affected include men’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, field hockey, and football.
“All students engaged in field, clinical, or other off-campus experiences should cease attending their placement until in-person classes on campus are resumed,” the university said, WHIO News reports. “Faculty and staff are also expected to work remotely, except for essential employees. All academic facilities will remain locked throughout the week.”
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) September 17, 2024
“We recognize that this may be disruptive to the previously planned athletic contests and all participants, but we ask for understanding during this difficult time for our University and our extended community of Springfield,” the Wittenberg athletics department told Front Office Sports. “Because a large part of our student-athlete population has chosen to go home for the duration of remote course delivery, Wittenberg coaches have been working with our athletic trainers and strength training staff members to create individual training plans for our student-athletes.”
Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio has also moved classes online this week and closed its campus, while the city itself has cancelled its annual CultureFest due to safety concerns.