A group of demonstrators dressed in black and holding Nazi flags briefly occupied an overpass in Evendale, Ohio, on Friday before quickly departing when confronted by local residents, video footage shows.
Video
The group, numbering over a dozen, displayed a large banner over Interstate 75 and carried swastika-emblazoned flags. However, their demonstration was short-lived. Video from NBC affiliate WLWT captured residents approaching the group as police officers positioned themselves between both parties. The demonstrators hastily retreated, packing into a U-Haul truck before leaving the scene.
Police with Evendale, which is within the Cincinnati metropolitan area, responded to the situation but stated that no laws were broken.
“The protest was occurring on sidewalks designed for pedestrian travel,” a police statement read. “The protest, while very offensive, was not unlawful. The protestors left the area on their own.”
Many residents, however, expressed outrage at the lack of arrests. “They just let these people drive off and disrespect us and our heritage,” said Lincoln Heights resident Kachara Talbert. “And y’all going to let these terrorists and racists come over here and do that?”
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval strongly condemned the incident. “Messages of hate like this have no place in our region,” he posted on X. “This is not what we stand for, and it will never be what we stand for.”
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati also denounced the demonstration, stating, “We will not be intimidated. Our response to hate is to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening community bonds.”
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