The city of Springfield stepped up police presence for their Tuesday meeting in response to Facebook chatter about a planned protest outside the city forum.
A group of protestors were outside the building handing out American flags and holding signs that called on city commissioners to “Answer our Questions” and called for the resignation of Mayor Rob Rue.
In preparation for the protest and possible problems, city officials employed a drone camera to monitor activities on the plaza area so they could deploy quick response to any issues.
Inside the city forum when the meeting began, attendance was actually smaller than many recent commission meetings, although the topic of Haitian immigration in the city continued to play a significant role in comments from speakers.
Unrelated to the protest, one of the speakers addressing city leaders introduced himself as a member of the Blood Tribe group that marched in Springfield on Aug. 10. The name he gave appears to be an anti-Black pseudonym used by some hate groups.
“I was head of the anti-Haitian immigration march earlier this month,” the man told city commissioners, referring to a dozen people who marched through the city during the Jazz & Blues Fest with Nazi flags and ski-mask covered faces.
As he spoke, two people left the room, with one woman calling him a Nazi and protesting that he was granted a platform to speak.
The speaker challenged the idea that city officials had advance notice of their planned march.
“I would like to dispel the myth that you knew of our march and intentionally had no reaction or made no forewarning of it as a preventative measure. You had no more idea than the police officers or Haitians. And it’s frankly insulting to our organization.”
“Second, I’ve come to bring a word of warning,” the man affiliated with the Nazi group said. “Stop what you’re doing before it’s too late. Crime and savagery only increase with every Haitian you bring in …”
He was interrupted by Mayor Rob Rue at that point, who called the man’s words threatening and asked police to remove him, which was accomplished without incident. Shortly after, a loud exchange could be heard outside the forum between the man who spoke, his followers and the woman who had earlier protested his presence.
At the opening of the meeting, Rue had offered guidelines for addressing the commission that included asking those in attendance to maintain an “emotional level of balance in a constructive opportunity to share dialogue.”
He asked that the audience refrain from applause and warned that anyone disrupting proceedings from their seat would be asked to leave.
In a previous statement, Rue had asserted the Nazi group protest at the Jazz & Blues Festival was conducted by an outside group and that “We stand united against hate and discrimination and remain committed to upholding the values of respect and inclusivity within our community. Let’s continue to support one another and uphold these values that define our community.”