A group of neo Nazis “protested” on an overpass by the Lincoln Heights community on February 7th. There was also a Nazi group that marched the streets of the Short North in Columbus, Ohio.  Nazi groups, as their history, is meant to intimidate and eradicate groups of people who are not Aryan white men. We do have laws against hate crimes on our books. We also have the 1st Amendment protecting freedom to assemble and free speech. However, there are perimeters in which the American people can use these rights, for instance, gaining a permit to assemble, not blocking traffic on a busy overpass, and also not inciting hate and violence. When these groups can openly carry guns as a tool of intimidation, that also violates our gun laws that we have in place.  It is a shame that the law enforcement knew they needed to stand by in case of violence, but did not drive these protesters out- only the residents of Lincoln Heights did this!

We need laws on the books against Nazi intimidation, particularly in our Black communities. When protesters are carrying guns in a protest, why are Nazi groups allowed to do this, knowing they are intimidating other groups? Why are there special protections for them and not the communities? And in 2025, knowing the damning history of Nazism in Europe, and the history in America against these groups and the KKK, there needs to be tougher laws in the rise of hate speech.  Nazi groups need to be labeled as domestic terrorists. There should not be special rights for hate groups!

In Ohio, there is no room for hate. I ask the lawmakers in our state and cities to ban Nazi protests, as they are only there to incite violence, terrorism, and hate. This includes protests with the swastika symbols, heavy presence of guns, Nazi gestures, and white hate symbols. This also includes targeting neighborhoods who have persons of color and other minority groups where they face intimidation. Whenever these groups are marching, law enforcement needs to move them out or the marchers face being arrested. And any verbal hate hurled at others that are intimidating and violent must be shut down immediately through arrests. If these groups are allowed to continue to attack our communities in Ohio, it will only bring violence to this great state. Hate has no home here! Please pass a law to protect the citizens of the state of Ohio!