By Dan Yount, The Cincinnati Herald and Nana Eshun, Legislative Aide, State Rep. Cecil Thomas
Last Friday’s pro-Nazi demonstration
Videos and photos poured in on social media Friday, Feb. 7, as neo-Nazis stood on an overpass in Lincoln Heights waving flags with Nazi swastikas, giving the “Heil Hitler” sign, and shouting insults at passing drivers. Lincoln Heights residents showed up in full force, and the hate group retreated to their van. On Sunday, Lincoln Heights leaders and residents led a march for strength and unity (see story on page B5).
Lincoln Heights was the first Black-governed city in the country, and it remains the largest Black community in Ohio.
The hate group started in the business district where they met a curious business owner with hateful speech, including the N-word, as several elementary students were exiting their school bus. They continued to the bridge overpass, known as Aviation Way, above the I-75 expressway.
Once there, the Neo-Nazis attached swastika symbols 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, causing a serious traffic distraction to motorists traveling north on I-75.
As word spread throughout the community, a large crowd gathered to confront the group. A minor struggle ensued, resulting in law enforcement intervening to separate the parties. Some accused some of the officers of helping the hate group, rather than protecting the citizens, and others said they saw law enforcement officers helping the group to carry some items from their vehicle. Those accusations are under investigation.
A swastika flag was taken from a member of the group and set on fire. Law enforcement escorted the Neo-Nazis back to their vehicles, allowing them to leave.
The following day, Saturday, February 8, 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, said State Rep. Cecil Thomas.
“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?”
Tamara Lang, VP of External Relations, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, said the disturbing Nazi demonstration on highway I-75 was witnessed by people on their daily commute and residents of neighboring communities.
She added, “For many, these acts of hate serve as a stark reminder of deep wounds that seem to never heal, and stories never forgotten. For our team at the Holloman Center for Social Justice, these symbols demonstrate a blatant alignment with hate and White supremacist ideology.
Executive Advisor to the Center, Attorney Fanon Rucker, said, “Recognizing every citizen’s First Amendment Right of Free Speech, brandishing military style weapons while using gestures and spewing hateful rhetoric clearly have the goal of intimidation, provocation and harassment. History reminds us that the unchecked belief of superiority is the tool of racial and ethnic oppression. No wonder what we saw fires up such anger and resistance.”
The Village of Lincoln Heights, the first Black self-governing community in the country, has served as a historic beacon of resilience and empowerment. The fact that this area was chosen for this hateful display was likely not a coincidence, Lang said.
She added, “The Holloman Center for Social Justice stands firmly against racism, antisemitism, and all forms of extremism that seek to intimidate and divide us. We call upon all local leaders, business leaders, law enforcement and Civil Rights organizations to join us in rejecting hate in all forms and those that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.
“Now is not the time for empty rhetoric and promises. The fight for a just society is not limited to responding to moments like this—it is about building sustained power, strengthening protections against extremism, and ensuring that vulnerable communities are safe, supported, and uplifted. We will not be silenced or deterred by these despicable acts, nor will we allow fear to undermine the progress our communities have fought for generations to achieve.
Officer Steward Isaacs, President of the Sentinels Police Association that represents Cincinnati’s Black police officers, commented that agents of hate once again have been active in our community. “However, like our parents and grandparents of the past, we will stand tall for what is right. We know this is just the start of those who cause diversion for the sake of division. We are not amused and we are not afraid. We will stand with those organizations that remain steadfast and shine a light on those who would terrorize our communities.”
David Whitehead, the new president of the Cincinnati NAACP, added that the NAACP is aware of the individuals waving a symbolism of hate and “we question their residency in the city of Cincinnati.”
He said the current executive orders (issued by President Donald Trump) and actions have angered many and emboldened others.
Whitehead added, “This is not normal and should not be accepted as such. We are stronger together, and we are calling on all to unify against this behavior.”
Good job Cincinnati!
Unity counts.