Summary

Masked neo-Nazis marched through Columbus, Ohio’s Short North neighborhood on Saturday, displaying swastika flags and making racist and antisemitic statements.

Police are investigating, and no arrests have been reported.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Columbus officials condemned the display, emphasizing that hate and bigotry have no place in the state.

The incident follows a similar demonstration in Michigan last week, where masked protesters displayed Nazi flags outside a performance of The Diary of Anne Frank.

  • @chiliedogg
    2•2 hours ago

    No, but there’s the “fighting words” doctrine. Depending on the level of targeting of the hate speech, it may not he protected. Let’s use Mike Pence as an example because it was a whole thing 4 years ago.

    Saying “Hang Mike Pence” to the air is probably protected. Whereas going to Mike Pence and saying “I’m going to hang you” isn’t.

    The weird greyness is that telling someone to hang Mike Pence can also be a crime (e.g. conspiracy to commit murder or disturbing the peace), so the details and context matter.

    Basically, if it’s a threat with teeth, it may not be protected. Being offensive is legal. Inciting a riot or threatening or provoking someone into attacking first is not.