Neo-Nazis plan to march through Toledo's North End

The National Socialist Movement, "America's Nazi Party" (unrelated to George Lincoln Rockwell's old American Nazi Party), planned to march through the North End of Toledo, Ohio. The Neo-Nazi group stated that the purpose of the march was to protest alleged gang activity in the area. Approximately fifteen Neo-Nazis gathered under police guard in preparation to march. They began an impromptu rally at the staging point for the march shouting insults and other racial slurs at members of the community.

Members of the community directed aggression against the police officers guarding the Neo-Nazis. This set off a four hour conflict between over 600 community members and the Toledo police force. Police canceled the march as the situation between police and community members escalated. Neo-nazis were told to leave town with a police escort.

While the Neo-Nazis had already left town most community members were unaware of this. Eleven police suffered injury. One female officer suffered a concussion after a brick smashed through the side window of her vehicle, hitting her in the head. Police, media vechiles and emergency vehicles were all targeted. A number of stores in the community were targeted by the crowd including a local bar, Lou and Harry's, which was broken into and set on fire. Lou and Harry's was known for refusing to serve black members of the community. A local 7-11 was looted. Police arrested of more than 120 rioters most of whom were residents of the North End. According to the mayor a number of protestors were wearing gang colours.

Although disturbed by the intentions to march, the town's mayor, Jack Ford, was extremely critical of the community's response, saying that it was "just what the nazis wanted". He declared that a state of emergency existed and imposed an 8 PM curfew on the entire city. 200 officers and SWAT team members patrolled the North End that evening.

Neo-Nazis return for rally

The NSM were granted the authority to rally at the Government Center in downtown Toledo on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005. The Ohio Highway Patrol was responsible for security at the Center. The stated purpose of the rally was to protest how the city dealt with the previous planned march on Oct. 15th, 2005. Approximately 45 Neo-Nazis rallied separated from 170 observers and counter protesters by 700 law-enforcement personnel. The Neo-Nazi rally ended after an hour.

Aggressive policing of the counter protesters resulted in a total of 26 arrests. Three of those arrested were photo journalists covering the event. The majority of arrests occurred in the police controlled observation area however several people were arrested outside of the downtown area for violating a court order banning unauthorized protests. No participants in the Neo-Nazi rally were arrested.

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Brian