Masked group marches with swastika flags in Ohio community

Horrific footage captured armed, masked neo-Nazis carrying swastika flags and shouting hateful racist slurs as they marched through the streets of Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus Police Sergeant Joe Albert said about a dozen people dressed in black with red masks were seen parading in broad daylight Saturday with huge black flags bearing Nazi symbols, some of whom were armed with firearms.

In the video he was seen using a megaphone to shout about white power and using slurs about Jews and people of color, According to the Columbus Dispatch.

Police say they were called when a member of the hate group used pepper spray or mace on at least one frightened passerby. However, the group left the area without incident before officers arrived, Albert said.

Some members were detained for questioning about an alleged attack, which authorities determined did not occur. No arrests were made.

The hateful actions were condemned by community leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine, who said “There is no place for hatred, bigotry, anti-Semitism or violence in this state.”

“We will not tolerate hate in Ohio. Neo-Nazis – their faces hidden behind red masks – were roaming the streets in Columbus today, carrying Nazi flags and making hateful and racist speeches against people of color and Jews,” DeWine said.

City Attorney Zack Klein also confirmed that he had been in contact with Columbus police regarding the march, and “will continue to monitor the actions of this hate group.”

“To those attending the neo-Nazi march in the Short North today, take your flags and the masks you hide behind and go home and never come back. Your hatred is not welcome in our city,” Klein wrote in a statement on X.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also condemned the “cowardly display.”

“We will not allow any of our neighbors to be intimidated, bullied or harmed because of who they are, how they worship or who they love,” Ginther said.

The Post has contacted the Columbus Police Department for comment.