COLUMBUS, OH – Neo-Nazi marchers strolled through the streets of a prominent Ohio city, yelling out disturbing words and waving swastika flags leaving many in shock and upset. Multiple videos showed the marchers dressed in black clothing and red masks to hide their identities. According to CNN, at least one person had even yelled out the racial N-word. 

Although the exact reason is not identified, one of the reasons behind why this march was activated could have possibly been because of the 2024 presidential election. This event occurred only two weeks after former president Donald Trump was declared the winner of the election, and as a Neo-Nazi supporter from the “Blood Tribe” spoke out on social media in support of Donald Trump. 

“Thanks Trump, cheaper gas will make it easier to spread White Power across the whole country,” Blood Tribe leader, Christopher Pohlhaus said in a WIRED article.

The masked protestors were seen creating chaos on Nov. 16, where a few individuals were detained but no arrests were made. Shortly after this incident, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, spoke out and announced that this kind of hate is unwelcome and will not be tolerated. 

“There is no place in this state for hate, bigotry, antisemitism or violence, and we must denounce it wherever we see it,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine stated in a CNN article. 

This radical march, disturbing onlookers and those around the globe has left many determined to show the world that the Jewish population demands respect. 

“This march made me realize [that] Jews should speak out more about antisemitism and show our Jewish pride,”  Maia Smiler, a student of Jewish descent at  Neshaminy High School, expressed. She continued to state that she wants to show to the world that I am a Jew, and I’m proud to be one.”

As an outcome of this march, Jewish people worldwide are feeling empowered to speak out about the issue. 

“This is such an important topic to talk about because, again, people shouldn’t have to fear being Jewish,” Smiler declared. She later goes on to say, “Jews shouldn’t have to hide and be afraid of the other people in this world trying to bring us down for no reason.”

However, it is not just the Jewish community that has something to say about this dreadful occurrence. 

“I think it is kind of childish for those people to act in such a way and try to hurt other people,” an anonymous source indicated. “Clearly they had to know that what they were doing was hurtful and wrong, seeing as they hid behind masks to conceal their identity.”   

One effect of this protest was that it left multiple people scared and in fear of what would happen next.

However, many are standing up defensively against the Neo-Nazi believers and are offering various support and advice for the individuals affected.  

“Go to/find your community,” Smiler exclaimed. “Go to see your rabbi; go to a synagogue. Join with other people in your community who are Jewish so that everyone can be together to support each other and be a family.”

As these incidents are becoming more frequent, many still feel unsafe in the world they live in, scared of what the future lies ahead. 

“It’s nerve-wracking to feel that such people would be wanting to do such terrible things to Jews and especially giving hate messages to Jews,” Smiler expressed.