Rep. Thomas Condemns Neo-Nazi Demonstration in Lincoln Heights Last Friday
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) today released the following statement following last Friday’s pro-Nazi demonstration in Lincoln Heights, Ohio:
“As a legislator, and the ranking member of the Public Safety Committee, I find it necessary to address the incident described below. Since the activity occurred on the overpass that is state owned property, I will be calling for the Director of Public Safety to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. I want to know whether a citizen has a legal right to protest and or attach paraphernalia on a bridge overpass belonging to the state. If there is a violation, what authority does a local law enforcement agency have in this situation? What role does the State Patrol have, if any? Should local law enforcement have notified the state?
Also, I will be using this incident to introduce legislation to assist local governments in addressing these types of situations that can escalate out of control very quickly. If both sides are wielding weapons, one spark could easily cause a blood bath. Under current law, local governments and law enforcement’s hands are currently tied. They need proactive, clear legal guidance to determine when speech or action becomes inciteful, that could compel a reasonable individual to violence. They also need proactive, clear legal guidance to decide when a situation, in their judgement, has become a threat to the safety of citizens and or the community. Why did it take a minor shuffle before law enforcement decided to act?” said Rep. Thomas.
The Incident
On Friday, February 7th, a group of about 13 individuals identifying as neo-Nazis, wearing masks to hide their identities, armed and carrying flags displaying the Nazi emblem, parked and exited their vehicles in the business district of the Village of Lincoln Heights, Ohio, the largest Black community in Ohio. A curious business owner was met with hateful speech, including the N-word as several elementary students were exiting their school bus. The group proceeded to march from the business district to the bridge overpass, known as Aviation Way, above the I-75 expressway.
Once there, the group attached a swastika symbol and separatist speech to the fence which is state property. They then used this platform to spew out hateful speech toward Black motorists as they drove across the bridge and caused a serious traffic distraction to motorists traveling north on I-75. As word spread throughout the community, a large crowd of angry citizens gathered to confront the group. A minor struggle ensued, resulting in law enforcement intervening to separate the parties. A swastika flag was taken from a member of the group and set on fire. Law enforcement convinced the group to end their protest and escorted them safely back to their vehicles, allowing them to leave.
The following day, Saturday, February 8th, several vehicles that were parked in the business district parking lot were vandalized, windows shattered. The residents believe the perpetrators were members of the neo-Nazi group, retaliating for one of their vehicles being damaged. The incident is under investigation by law enforcement. The community of Lincoln Heights deserves answers and action from the legislature.