Citizen Action Forces Police Shutdown of Haitian Samedi Rave

BY JEFF SKINNER 

SPRINGFIELD - In a city like Springfield, change only comes if you force it. Over the last several years the heritage residents have suffered under the creation of a two-tiered system where replacement labor from Haiti has been permitted to ignore local laws and ordinances while people’s livelihoods are destroyed. However, on Saturday, Sept 6, local residents coordinated a reporting operation of a local business, allegedly violating liquor laws as they attempted to host a Samedi party, flying in entertainment from outside the state to an all-night rager. The move comes after repeated media reports of the Haitian community being destitute and desperate for more financial aid from U.S. tax payers.

Immigration is a curious thing in Ohio. Whether legal or illegal It seems publicly, there is always an outcry for sympathy and understanding towards heritage Americans from their new neighbors when news cameras are rolling but once the recording button stops, foreign flags start getting raised, swindling schemes get rolled out and flagrant violations of local laws and ordinances get hand-waved away by political establishments. Springfield has been a smoldering example of how the impact of mass immigration, legal or otherwise, can completely destroy a town, leaving residents desperate for any level of respite.

Last week, flyers began circulating of an allegedly illegal night club operating out of one of the many ‘Haitian markets’ that have popped up throughout the city. On the surface, these venues are allegedly market places to sell foods familiar to the Haitian immigrant population, help them send money overseas and assist with legal documents. Many heritage residents have reported previously how shelves within the markets are mostly empty and Haitian traffic into the establishments are frequent, moving to backrooms that Springfield residents are not welcome in, if they are even let in the front doors. However, once the sun descends, these venues are allegedly transformed into illegal night clubs, many of which do not have liquor licenses. 

One such venue is the promoted “Z Spot Lounge”. It is alleged that these lounge spots rotate or shift locations, relying on social media communication to let attendees know where the party will be week-to-week; as the most recent flyer advertised a party ‘every Saturday night’. The flyer advertised a ticket price of $20 to get in the door with a VIP ticket price $50. 

Internet investigators worked diligently to look up local licenses and ownership of the preordained location of the Haitian rave and found the location, owned by an Indian company located in Cincinnati, did not possess a liquor license, and as such, the advertised liquor would be illegal.

Heritage residents began mass reporting to local authorities which could not be ignored. Not long after, Springfield authorities placed a notice on the facility stating that occupancy for the intended purpose would be illegal and violators arrested.

That evening, a coordinated effort was launched by residents who were driving throughout the area investigating the rave only to find out the location have been changed at the last minute to evade authorities from 2200 North Limestone Street to  John & S. Yellow Springs St, however once this was reported, witnesses stated police cars surrounded that venue as well. 

Z Lounge is not the only establishment allegedly operating within Springfield. Another local establishment labeled as "The Hill LLC" is another such nightclub allegedly operating out of a convenience store. Independet record collection has revealed the LLC is being facilitated by local Haitian media spokesperson Jacob Payen, whose trial involving attempting to bring a firearm into Clark County courthouse is still ongoing.

The action is getting lauded as a victory by residents as the heritage population, which has gone ignored and blighted for several years from the ruling political establishment, has won this battle against what many view as an invading force that has overtaken the city. Whatever the case, Springfield residents have shown others that enacting change is possible but only with significant effort and force, something these residents apparently hold in spades.