Ohio governor condemns reports of neo-Nazis marching in Short North

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and multiple Columbus city officials made their thoughts known Saturday after receiving earlier reports that a group of neo-Nazis marched in the Short North Arts District.

NBC4 received multiple eyewitness accounts and video around 1:45 p.m. of the march, which showed at least eleven people wearing masks walking down the sidewalk. The group carried flags bearing swastikas near the intersection of 1st Avenue and North High Street, and also shouted obscenities into a megaphone. DeWine, who denounced the group's actions, also confirmed more details of the incident.

"We will not tolerate hate in Ohio," DeWine wrote. "Neo-Nazis -- their faces hidden behind red masks -- roamed streets in Columbus today, carrying Nazi flags and spewing vile and racist speech against people of color and Jews. There were reports that they were also espousing white power sentiments."

City Council President Shannon Hardin rejected the group's "pathetic efforts to promote fear and hate."

"I’ve been in touch with law enforcement about Nazis marching through the city," Hardin said.

City Attorney Zach Klein also confirmed he was in contact with Columbus police regarding the march, and would "continue to monitor this hate group's actions."

"Displays of neo-Nazi hate have no home in Columbus," Klein wrote. "Take your flags and the masks you hide behind and go home and never come back."

NBC4 reached out to Columbus police and asked if any arrests were made as a result of the march. They have not said if anyone was detained as of 5:30 p.m.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also shared a statement regarding the march.

"We will not allow any of our neighbors to be intimidated, threated or harmed because of who they are, how they worship or whom they love," Ginther said. "We reject the cowardly display reported in the Short North earlier today."