Lincoln Heights leaders and residents rose up against Neo-Nazi hate

By Dan Yount, The Cincinnati Herald and Nana Eshun, Legislative Aide, State Rep. Cecil ThomasLast Friday’s pro-Nazi demonstrationVideos 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,...