WATCH: Proud Boys march through Springfield amid Haitian immigrants eating pets conspiracy theory

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO: The city of Springfield, Ohio, has dominated headlines over the weekend. Police recently reported two separate calls concerning the presence of the far-right Proud Boys on Saturday, September 14.

According to Springfield police, a group of around 15 to 20 individuals were seen marching through the city—carrying flags and sporting attire emblazoned with logos associated with the Proud Boys.

A video capturing the group's movement made waves on social media. By the time police officers arrived at the scene, the group had already disappeared.

What's happening in Springfield?

Springfield’s tension didn’t start with the Proud Boys’ march, though. Just a day before, the city was thrown into chaos when City Hall had to be closed due to a bomb threat.  The Springfield City School District evacuated two elementary schools on Friday, September 13.

The decision was based on information provided by the Springfield Police Division, but details about the nature of the threat weren’t immediately clear, CNN reported.

Things didn’t calm down on Saturday either. Two local hospitals — Kettering Health and Mercy Health Springfield Regional Medical Center — went into lockdown because of more bomb threats.

Amid all this, Springfield’s Mayor Rob Rue made a public plea. On Thursday, September 12 night, he addressed national leaders to "pay attention to what their words are doing to cities like ours." Rue added, “We need help, not hate.”

On Friday, and again on Saturday, former president Donald Trump shrugged off any concerns about the situation in Springfield.

When asked specifically about the threats, Trump said, "I don’t know what happened with the, uh, bomb threats," adding, “I know that (Springfield has) been taken over by illegal migrants, and that’s a terrible thing that happened.”

Over the past week, Trump and his running mate JD Vance have been making claims about illegal Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio. He reiterated the claim during September 10's presidential debate.

"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in," Trump said during his first debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

"They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame," the GOP presidential candidate added.

Trump even went as far as promising “large deportations” from the Ohio town during a news conference in California on Friday. According to the city’s website, Clark County—which includes Springfield—is home to around 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants—many of whom are Haitians legally allowed to reside there.

Who are the Proud Boys?

The Proud Boys was founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, co-founder of Vice Media. It was initially described as an “alt-lite” group. McInnes has since distanced himself from the organization.

The group has gained notoriety for its violent confrontations with political opponents and ties to extremist groups. They’ve previously frequently clashed with Black Lives Matter protesters and others, claiming they are protecting the country from a supposed left-wing threat.

The Proud Boys describe themselves as “Western chauvinists,” which many see as coded language for promoting white nationalist ideas. This includes the "replacement theory" — a belief that minority groups are replacing White populations in the West.

With an estimated membership ranging from several hundred to around 6,000, the group’s influence is real but their actions have drawn heavy legal consequences.

In 2021, the Proud Boys were designated as a terrorist organization by Canada. This year, their former leader, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Tarrio, a Cuban-American and former head of Latinos for Trump, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy.