President Biden rebukes "sickening" neo-Nazi march
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President Joe Biden at Arlington National Cemetery last week. Photo: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Biden administration has condemned last weekend's neo-Nazi march through the Short North, joining Gov. Mike DeWine and other local leaders in rebuking the hate-filled display.
The latest: The White House called the group's actions a "sickening display."
- "President Biden abhors the hateful poison of Nazism, Antisemitism, and racism — which are hostile to everything the United States stands for, including protecting the dignity of all our citizens and the freedom to worship. Hate directed against any of us is a threat to every single one of us," White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement to Axios.
The march involved about a dozen people reportedly displaying swastikas and chanting racial slurs.
- An unknown number of people were detained after bar patrons confronted the marchers in a conflict that included the use of pepper spray.
- Columbus police reported Monday they had not made any arrests and continue to investigate the incident.
- Because no one was charged, the names of those involved have not been made public. Police did not identify the marchers as part of any organization.
What they're saying: "The Constitution protects First Amendment activity, no matter how hateful," Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant said in a statement.
- "We are bound by the law in enforcement of such activity. No one in our community should experience intimidation or harassment. We will continue to strive to make Columbus a city where all residents feel welcome and safe."
- Mayor Andrew Ginther said the "Columbus community stands squarely against hatred and bigotry."
State of play: Hate groups have made their Central Ohio presence known over the last few years, particularly the explicitly neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, which announced last year that it had established an Ohio chapter.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 50 active hate groups in Ohio last year, including five neo-Nazi groups.
- That figure represents a significant uptick from 20 in 2022.
Flashback: In September, armed, masked protesters waved swastika flags and disrupted the Pride in GC Festival in Grove City.
- Last year, neo-Nazis carrying a swastika flag protested a drag brunch at Land-Grant Brewing Company meant to benefit LGBTQ+ resource organization Kaleidoscope Youth Center.
- In 2022, a family-friendly story hour featuring drag queens was canceled at Red Oak Community School after the Proud Boys announced on social media that they would protest the event.