The hate that surfaced in Lincoln Heights, often referred to as Zone 15, which encompasses Lockland, Woodlawn and Wyoming, came under attack last Friday when Nazi symbols and rhetoric were publicly displayed a chilling reminder that extremism is not a relic of the past but a growing force emboldened in the present. This incident echoes what happened in Northern Kentucky just three weeks prior, where KKK flyers were found in multiple cities, announcing a three-state rally for a blatant recruitment effort aimed at sowing division and fear.
These incidents, occurring in different yet connected communities, reveal a disturbing trend: the resurgence of White supremacist ideologies under an administration that has, at best, turned a blind eye and at worst, emboldened such hate.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, we have witnessed a significant rise in hate group activity, a trend meticulously documented by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center. His refusal to denounce white supremacy outright, coupled with dog-whistle rhetoric like “stand back and stand by” to the Proud Boys, signaled to these groups that they had tacit approval. It is no coincidence that in this climate, hate groups feel emboldened to spread their messages in places like Lincoln Heights and Northern Kentucky, where communities of color and progressive activists have long fought for equity.
A Target on Lincoln Heights
Lincoln Heights, the first Black-governed municipality, in the U.S.—has a rich history of resilience and self-determination. But like many Black communities, it has been systematically underfunded and targeted, making it a prime location for racist agitators seeking to intimidate and provoke.
Last Friday, it was a quiet afternoon until it wasn’t.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., as school bells rang, children were stepping off buses or walking home. That’s when swastikas and Nazi imagery appeared on handheld flags, signs, and banners hanging from the I-75 overpass. This was more than an act of vandalism it was a declaration of intent, a warning to a historically Black community that White supremacists still aim to oppress and terrorize.
Fear and anger spread rapidly through text messages, phone calls and social media posts. The people of Lincoln Heights immediately thought of the children who might be caught in the midst of such an alarming moment.
For many, this was deeply personal. For Mayor Ruby Kinsey, born and raised in Lincoln Heights, it was devastating. “My heart dropped,” she said. At the time, she was at work in Northern Kentucky—the only senior manager on duty calling her boss and trying to find someone to cover her office so she could leave. As she waited, she remained in constant contact with a fellow council member, neighbors and family.
She told me: “My life will never be the same. It’s as if the devil knocked on our door.”
Since that Friday the Lincoln Heights Council and local organizations have been demanding answers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Evendale Police and others.
“There are so many unanswered questions,” Mayor Kinsey continued. “But what I do know is that our Black men are visibly protecting our streets, and I am so proud of them. I continually check on our seniors.”
Community response is unity over fear. The day after the hate filled demonstration, friends, family, and community leaders gathered for prayer, strategy and action. On Sunday, following church services, hundreds marched in solidarity, led by Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church’s Reverend Julian A. Cook, Senior Pastor. The large crowd walked back to the very place where hate dared to tread sending an unmistakable message:
Hate will not win here. On Monday at 3 p.m., a coalition of organizations, activists, and stakeholders convened a demand meeting with Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey and others. Noticeably absent? Not a single representative from the Lockland or Evendale Police Departments. Sheriff McGuffey made a commitment she would answer every question and she kept that commitment.
Yet, an Evendale police officer was seen assisting the White supremacists with their U-Haul truck. The community is demanding to know why. Who gave the order? During the meeting, Pastor Cook reminded Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey and her Department, “You are now on the clock. We need answers.”
Immediately following the stakeholder meeting, the Lincoln Heights mayor, council members, and staff held an emergency council session to address the next steps.
A community standing strong with one of those leading the charge is Carlton Collins, a dedicated community advocate deeply involved with My Brother’s Keeper, EDUCA8theWorld, and The Heights Movement. His message was clear, “Whatever the hate mongers thought they might accomplish, it was not fear. Instead, they fueled our determination.
We are steadfast in our commitment to accountability, equitable treatment under the law, and justice. This assault on the rule of law with Evendale Police actively supporting an illegal and unlawful Nazi demonstration demands consequences.
But we have reasons to be hopeful. We saw a unified community response. We acknowledged a common enemy, hate in all its forms. And we proved that people power still works in 2025. Lincoln Heights will continue to be a beacon for other communities and municipalities. Impact, in this case, is a consequence of unity.”
A disturbing trend hate is organizing. What happened in Lincoln Heights mirrors the KKK flyers found in Northern Kentucky, same playbook, same psychological warfare, same effort to intimidate and recruit. Never forget they have a 292 page playbook titled 2025.
These are not random acts. They are strategic. They are coordinated. They are meant to send a message. They are being emboldened by an America that has allowed hate to seep back into the mainstream. The real question, what will we do? Hate does not disappear, it adapts. It waits for the right conditions to resurface.
Under Trump, hate has not only resurfaced it has been rebranded, repackaged, and has been given a seat at the political table. So now, the question isn’t just why is this happening?—it’s what are we going to do about it?
Lincoln Heights, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and the entire United States must respond not just with outrage but with action. Community vigilance is crucial. Historical education is necessary. Dismantling systemic inequities must be a priority.
When I asked Youth Pastor Darnell D. Lee, a Black millennial clergy member, how we honor the legacy of those who came before us while equipping today’s youth, his response was profound. “It is imperative that we listen, teach and involve our youth. They are the most impacted yet often the most overlooked. They’ve read about Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Huey Newton—but they weren’t there. Most of them only recently learned about Emmett Till. Perhaps George Floyd was their first conscious memory of America’s deep, dark racist past.
Now, they’re seeing hate in real time. And they’re asking, ‘Pastor, where is God in all of this?’”
A good question for sure. I was taught God helps those who help themselves. I leave you with this, “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs,” said Frederick Douglass.
It’s time to act! No one is going to save us but us.
I could not be more proud of the people of our beloved Lincoln Heights. Our entire history has been one of peace and laughter, but above all, SRENGTH. You have now set an example world-wide of will and preparation to meet the threat of hate that must be faced. Take no step back. The future of our children and perhaps the world depends on it.
I received this article via text message from a friend. It is well written, researched and impactful. I’m stunned and afraid.