COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several Columbus leaders are speaking out after an apparent group of neo-Nazis marched in the Short North on Saturday afternoon.
Columbus public safety dispatchers confirmed that around 1:30 p.m., several 911 calls had been made about a group of individuals marching in the Short North.
Video sent to 10TV shows around 10 people wearing black pants, black shirts, black head coverings and a red mask covering their mouths marching down North High Street. Three of the individuals were carrying flags with swastikas.
Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Joseph Albert said no arrests were made out of the incident and there were no uses of force by police. He said a citizen might have used pepper spray on the group before police arrived.
He added that many of the individuals were detained but later released.
Hours later, City Attorney Zach Klein issued a statement on the march to his social media and condemned those involved.
"Displays of neo-Nazi hate have no home in Columbus. This is not who we are, and we will not tolerate or normalize this disgusting ideology in any form," Klein said in part.
He added that his office has been in contact with Columbus police regarding the march and will continue to monitor the group's actions.
"I stand with our Jewish friends and all those who continue to be targeted by bias and hate. I'll always have your back," he concluded.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said the city "stands squarely against hatred and bigotry."
"Together, we reject the cowardly display reported in the Short North earlier today, and we will continue to monitor the situation in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police to ensure the safety and security of our city," Ginther said in a statement on X.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued the following statement Saturday night:
"We will not tolerate hate in Ohio. Neo-Nazis -- their faces hidden behind red masks -- roamed streets in Columbus today, carrying Nazi flags and spewing vile and racist speech against people of color and Jews. There were reports that they were also espousing white power sentiments. There is no place in the State for hate, bigotry, antisemitism, or violence, and we must denounce it wherever we see it."
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin also posted on social media and spoke out against the group.
"This community rejects their pathetic efforts to promote fear and hate. Columbus will always stand with those they seek to intimidate," he said.
Additional statements will be added to this story as they become available.
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