Authorities in Ohio and Columbus are responding strongly after masked individuals marched through the city's Short North neighborhood on Saturday, carrying Nazi flags and expressing hate speech. Videos and images of the group, dressed in black and armed, quickly spread online.
The Columbus Police Department detained some of the individuals but released them after determining that "an assault did not take place," despite initial reports of a possible altercation.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the incident, stating on social media, "We will not tolerate hate in Ohio. Neo-Nazis -- their faces hidden behind red masks -- roamed streets in Columbus today, carrying Nazi flags and spewing vile and racist speech against people of color and Jews. There were reports that they were also espousing white power sentiments." DeWine emphasized, "There is no place in this State for hate, bigotry, antisemitism, or violence, and we must denounce it wherever we see it."
The City of Columbus also issued a firm statement, declaring, "The Columbus community stands squarely against hatred and bigotry. We will not allow any of our neighbors to be intimidated, threatened or harmed because of who they are, how they worship or whom they love." Highlighting the city's strength in diversity, the statement continued, "Together, we reject the cowardly display reported in the Short North earlier today."
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein addressed the demonstrators directly, stating, "To those involved in the neo-Nazi march in the Short North today, take your flags and the masks you hide behind and go home and never come back. Your hate isn't welcome in our city."
The march comes on the heels of a similar demonstration in Howell, Michigan, where protesters waving Nazi flags gathered outside a production of The Diary of Anne Frank. In that incident, no arrests were made after demonstrators were asked to relocate.
Officials in Ohio and Columbus vowed to remain vigilant, emphasizing their commitment to diversity and unity against hate.
Link: ABCNews
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