'Conquer with love': Springfield community shows support for Haitian neighbors

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WKEF) -- The Miami Valley community broke bread with the Haitian community in Springfield Friday. Hundreds showed up at a local Haitian-Creole restaurant, but said the impact goes much further than just a meal.

“I think of people that work hard," said Springfield native, Mark Houseman.

“Springfield is diverse," added dinner organizer, Steve McQueen.

“We’re actually a beautiful city," said Terrance Crowe, another Springfield native.

That was how some described Springfield, Ohio, a city of almost 60-thousand now in the national spotlight.

“I immediately shook my head and put my head down," Crowe recalled. “You can’t conquer with hate, conquer with love.”

At the center of that attention is the influx of Haitian immigrants to the area and now-debunked rumors about their culture.

“We know Springfield is full of love," said McQueen. "[It] does not have the hate that is being told to the rest of the country and world as they’re even talking about.”

McQueen was one of the faces behind Friday’s organized love, as he called it, bringing together dozens at a Springfield Haitian-Creole restaurant in support of that community.

“Why don’t we help them be better drivers or help them [learn to] speak English?” asked Houseman. “We’re fighting a fight nobody will win. There’s no win at the end of this with that hate.”

Houseman and Crowe were two of the many Springfield natives sharing a meal with their Haitian neighbors, showing them hate has no place in their city.

“You’ve got to bridge the gaps, tear down those mental fences," stated Crowe. "We’re all human; we’re all in one race, the human race.”

The restaurant staff was too busy to sit down with Dayton 24/7 Now. However, they did tell us Friday’s turnout was far more than ever expected and the amount of support was overwhelming.