|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Neo-Nazi March Sparks Outrage in Columbus, Ohio: A City Stands Against Hate
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Columbus community leaders are uniting to condemn the disturbing actions of an armed neo-Nazi group that marched through the Short North neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The group, reportedly shouting racial slurs, promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric, and advocating white supremacy, drew swift rebuke from local officials, advocacy organizations, and residents alike, as was indicated in a USA Today report. Videos capturing the incident began circulating on social media around 1:15 p.m., revealing approximately a dozen individuals dressed in black attire, their faces obscured by red masks, and carrying black flags adorned with swastikas.
Neo-#Nazi Hate club 1488 Members March Through Several Neighborhoods in #Columbus, #Ohio, #UnitedStates
Read more: https://t.co/wNnqg6ZcHN pic.twitter.com/59Pg0F3uSt— TRACTerrorism (@TracTerrorism) November 17, 2024
Police were alerted to the group after reports surfaced of one member allegedly using pepper spray or mace against a passerby. Witnesses also described the group hurling racial slurs at people of color and openly carrying firearms. Responding officers arrived on the scene at 1:20 p.m., by which time the group had reportedly moved on. According to the report in USA Today, law enforcement detained several individuals after stopping a van connected to the group. However, authorities later determined that no assault had occurred, and those detained were subsequently released.
⚠️ EXPLICIT: Viewers shared video with us of a group of neo-nazis marching through downtown Columbus, yelling racial slurs. Tonight residents and community leaders are denouncing the hate. Video credit to Dwight Holland. @10TV pic.twitter.com/g13LH8CWj4
— Carla Rogner (@CarlaRogner) November 17, 2024
The presence of the neo-Nazi group has sparked outrage across the city. Community leaders and organizations have emphasized the need to reject hate and reaffirm the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Lee C. Shapiro, regional director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), called the march a “vile display of hate” and expressed gratitude for the swift action by law enforcement. “We cannot allow agitators to stoke fear in a city where diversity and tolerance is one of its hallmarks. Hate has no place in Columbus. Not now, not ever,” Shapiro said, according to USA Today.
WARNING: This video contains hateful speech.
Neo-Nazis marched down High St, in Columbus on Saturday afternoon. Governor DeWine, Mayor Ginther and others have responded. https://t.co/Y2WrNyGejg pic.twitter.com/bs5iYYgrXJ
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) November 17, 2024
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a forceful statement denouncing the group’s actions, emphasizing that “there is no place in this State for hate, bigotry, anti-Semitism, or violence.” USA Today reported that DeWine called attention to the alarming imagery of the masked marchers carrying Nazi flags, describing their rhetoric as “vile and racist.”
City Attorney Zach Klein took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his condemnation of the neo-Nazi group, urging them to leave the city. “Take your flags and the masks you hide behind and go home and never come back. Your hate isn’t welcome in our city,” Klein wrote, as per the information provided in the USA Today report. His statement reflects the collective sentiment of a community determined to uphold its values of inclusion and tolerance.
The incident has reignited discussions about the rise of hate groups across the United States and the measures necessary to combat them. The American Jewish Committee and other organizations are urging continued vigilance and proactive steps to ensure such displays of hatred do not gain traction.
While no arrests were made in connection with the march, the event has galvanized Columbus residents to reaffirm their commitment to unity and respect. USA Today reported that the Short North, known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse community, stands as a symbol of the city’s resilience. As Gov. DeWine and other leaders have emphasized, acts of hate have no place in Ohio.
The incident has also drawn sharp condemnation from community leaders, including City Council President Shannon Hardin and Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Hardin, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), criticized the political climate that he believes has emboldened such groups. “I’m sorry the President-elect has emboldened these creeps,” he wrote. “This community rejects their pathetic efforts to promote fear and hate. Columbus will always stand with those they seek to intimidate.” According to the information contained in the USA Today report, Hardin has been in close contact with the police about the incident, emphasizing that Columbus remains united against intimidation and bigotry.
Mayor Andrew Ginther also addressed the incident, sharing a message of resilience and unity on X. “Together, we reject the cowardly display reported in the Short North earlier today,” Ginther stated. He pledged to continue working alongside the Columbus Division of Police to monitor the situation and ensure the city’s safety. The mayor highlighted the importance of standing against hatred while embracing tolerance and diversity, core values that define Columbus as a community.
As reported by USA Today, the incident, though deeply troubling, has galvanized local leaders and organizations to reaffirm their stance against hatred and their commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Sean Walton Jr., a prominent Columbus civil rights attorney and candidate for the NAACP Columbus presidency, described the events as “alarming and unacceptable” in a detailed statement on his website. Walton characterized the neo-Nazi march as a “direct assault on the values we hold dear as a community,” emphasizing that hate has no place in Columbus.
“Let me be clear: hate has no home here,” Walton wrote. “The actions of these protestors undermine the very fabric of what makes us strong — our diversity, unity, and shared commitment to justice and happiness for all.” USA Today reported that he called on the community to resist responding with the same aggression displayed by the neo-Nazi group, instead advocating for a response rooted in love, resistance, and collective commitment to justice.
Walton also urged elected officials and law enforcement to take decisive action. “It is imperative that we thoroughly investigate those involved and take swift, collaborative steps to ensure that such actions are prevented in the future,” he said, as reported by USA Today.
The events in Short North have served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by hate groups, but they have also showcased the resolve of Columbus leaders and residents to protect the city’s values of inclusivity and unity. The collective response — from City Council President Hardin and Mayor Ginther to civil rights advocates like Walton — sends a clear message that Columbus will not tolerate efforts to spread fear and division.
As the city moves forward, the emphasis remains on ensuring safety, promoting understanding, and strengthening the bonds of a diverse community. Leaders have called for continued vigilance, community engagement, and proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, reaffirming that hate will never find a home in Columbus.
