Hateful scenes as masked neo-Nazis march through Ohio with swastika flags
Horrifying footage captured armed, masked neo-Nazis carrying swastika flags and shouting vile racist slurs while marching through the streets of Columbus, Ohio.
About a dozen men dressed in black with red masks were seen parading in broad daylight Saturday with the huge black flags with the Nazi symbol in bright red, with some carrying firearms, Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert said.
Videos caught them using megaphones to shout about white power while also using slurs about Jews and people of color, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Police say they were called when a member of the hate group used pepper spray or mace on at least one horrified passerby. However, the group left the area without incident before officers arrived, Albert said.
Some members were detained to be questioned about an alleged assault, which authorities determined did not happen. No arrests were made.
The hateful actions were condemned by community leaders, including Gov. Mike DeWine, who said there was “no place in this State for hate, bigotry, antisemitism, or violence.”
“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,” DeWine said.
City Attorney Zach Klein also confirmed he was in contact with Columbus police regarding the march, and would “continue to monitor this hate group’s actions.”
“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,” Klein wrote in a statement on X.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also denounced the “cowardly display.”
“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,” Ginther said.
The Post has reached out to the Columbus Police Department for comment.
