COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Community members in Columbus’s Short North neighborhood gathered to counter a neo-Nazi march that took place last weekend.
Approximately 30 people, many in costumes, walked along High Street chanting, “O-H-I-O… neo-Nazis have to go,” to demonstrate their opposition to the previous march.
Scott Crawford, speaking through a megaphone at the corner of High and Russell, emphasized the importance of unity and expression in the community.
“This is about all of us together and all of us going and not letting this kind of influence into our neighborhood and letting us be free and expressive and do whatever we want to do and have fun and make it so this is a city that’s open to everyone,” Crawford said.
He acknowledged the neo-Nazi group’s First Amendment rights but stressed the community’s right to disagree.
“Going out and doing this here shows we’re not going to take that, we’re not going to be an easy target for any of these neo-Nazis or whatever they are,” Crawford added.
Jason Williams, owner of Big Fun Columbus and an organizer of the event, said the neo-Nazis did not come for a peaceful purpose.
“They didn’t come here for a peaceful attempt they came here to cause chaos,” Williams said.
The group aimed to show that the city is united and open to everyone, using love to combat hate.
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