February 13th 2025.
According to a report by NBC News, black leaders and residents in Ohio were outraged when they witnessed a group of armed and masked neo-Nazis freely assembling on a freeway bridge in early February 2025 with no consequences. The group was shielded by officers from the Evendale police and Hamilton County Sheriff's Departments, while black community members were held back and unable to take action against the threatening presence.
When questioned about why no arrests were made, Ohio police lieutenant Michael Steers stated that no laws were violated. He was one of the officers who held back the black residents while the neo-Nazis made their escape in a Uhaul truck. However, this explanation did not sit well with the community, especially given the historical significance of the location where the incident took place.
The bridge in question lies between the Village of Evendale and Lincoln Heights, both of which are historically black neighborhoods. According to the police, their actions were meant to protect the First Amendment rights of the demonstrators, even though they did not have a permit for their demonstration. But for Lincoln Heights resident Eric Ruffin, the job of the police is to protect and serve the community, and in this case, they failed to do so. "Do you want a community where you don't feel safe?" he asked during a village meeting.
State Representative Cecil Thomas called for an investigation into the matter, and County Commissioner Alicia Reece agreed, stating that the racist demonstrators have become too comfortable and that residents are now forced to protect themselves. "They had to go into their own house, get their own guns, go out there, and risk their own life," Reece said. "And they felt the only thing that happened was a defense, in their mind, of the Nazis."
Rev. Julian Armand Cook of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church shared similar sentiments, expressing his shock and hurt over the incident, which quickly went viral on social media. "To see it show up at the gateway to this historic community, the first, the oldest Black self-governed city north of the Mason-Dixon Line, it is very clear what message it is sending," the pastor said. "So I was angry. I was hurt. I was shocked."
The community of Lincoln Heights has a rich history, dating back to the 1920s when it became the first black-led incorporated city above the Mason-Dixon line. Native Carolyn Smith, whose grandmother was one of the first black residents in the area, stated that the community is built on hard work, faith, and self-sufficiency, and there is no place for hate in Lincoln Heights. "Lincoln Heights is a family-oriented community that will help anybody, that loves anybody. But you're not going to come in here and disrespect us," Smith said. "That's a no-no."
The incident has caused outrage not just within the community but also among those living outside of Ohio, who may not be familiar with the history and significance of Lincoln Heights. As seen in the video footage that went viral, the black community members were left feeling helpless as they watched the neo-Nazis freely assemble and then be protected by the police. It is a clear indication that there is still a long way to go in the fight against racism and hate in America.
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