Nazis Plan March
The Enquirer has reported Justin Boyer, the Ohio leader of the American National Socialist Workers party has announced that Cincinnati has granted a permit for the Nazi group to protest on April 20 in Over-the-Rhine. Boyer states that the purpose of the protest is, "To make the Over-the-Rhine ghetto safe for regular foot traffic by white people." Boyer hopes that a few uniformed members will attend and that smaller numbers will increase the nazi group's glory. The group protested in Toledo last October. The mayor of Toledo holds the nazi group responsible for the riots that broke out there with a counter protest group.
This will undoubtedly alarm many in Cincinnati who can easily remember the April 2001 riots. As someone who lived in Cincinnati at the time I saw the immediate and long term problems that resulted from the riots. Part of the reason Over-the-Rhine is so dangerous is because of the riots. Most people would love to see a safe Over-the-Rhine not for the "foot traffic by white people" but, for the people who live there. A revitalized Over-the-Rhine would be great for the city's economy and culture as well. The nazis are not going to be the group to bring safety to the city and, many will be really pissed off about their protest and, some will counter protest.
The First Amendment is a wonderful thing. It allows dialogue and change. Even though the protest will be inflammatory and racist, good could come of it. The City of Cincinnati needs to take this opportunity to show that violence does not have to break out. I think it would be a great showing for the city if the protest went on and nothing happened. It would give Cincinnatians confidence in the police department and city government if the protest went on without the violence and riots that happened in Toledo. If the protest goes on and there isn't an outbreak of violence maybe Cincinnati is capable of being safe.
This will undoubtedly alarm many in Cincinnati who can easily remember the April 2001 riots. As someone who lived in Cincinnati at the time I saw the immediate and long term problems that resulted from the riots. Part of the reason Over-the-Rhine is so dangerous is because of the riots. Most people would love to see a safe Over-the-Rhine not for the "foot traffic by white people" but, for the people who live there. A revitalized Over-the-Rhine would be great for the city's economy and culture as well. The nazis are not going to be the group to bring safety to the city and, many will be really pissed off about their protest and, some will counter protest.
The First Amendment is a wonderful thing. It allows dialogue and change. Even though the protest will be inflammatory and racist, good could come of it. The City of Cincinnati needs to take this opportunity to show that violence does not have to break out. I think it would be a great showing for the city if the protest went on and nothing happened. It would give Cincinnatians confidence in the police department and city government if the protest went on without the violence and riots that happened in Toledo. If the protest goes on and there isn't an outbreak of violence maybe Cincinnati is capable of being safe.
Labels: Cincinnati, Downtown
Nazis in OTR. Might have to skip that one...
Posted by Andrew Warner | 1:31 PM