On Saturday afternoon, a small group of neo-Nazis marched through the Short North, hateful flags waving and masks covering their faces. If they were expecting to win Columbus residents over, they were mistaken. The group’s appearance quickly sparked outrage across the city.
Around 1:30 p.m., Columbus police began receiving 911 calls about the group, which included nearly a dozen individuals dressed in black clothing, red masks, and head coverings. Video footage showed three of them carrying black flags with swastikas.
At one point during the march, tensions flared when a citizen reportedly sprayed members of the group with repellent. The neo-Nazis retaliated with mace before police stepped in to de-escalate the situation. No arrests were made, but some individuals were detained and later released.
City leaders were quick to denounce the march.
“The Columbus community stands squarely against hatred and bigotry,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther in a statement. “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.”
Governor Mike DeWine also condemned the demonstration, calling it a display of “vile and racist speech.”
The Short North Alliance reassured residents about ongoing safety measures in the neighborhood, highlighting resources like social workers, special-duty police officers, and community ambassadors trained in conflict resolution.
“Hate is never welcome in our community,” the Alliance stated.
The Short North has long been celebrated for its creativity and inclusivity. Saturday’s hateful display is sadly not the first of its kind in central Ohio.
As the city processes what happened, local leaders are calling for unity and resilience. Columbus has made it clear: hate has no place here.
