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Rally by hate group spurs insurrection in Toledo, Ohio
by Robb Ebright, Indymedia
in Journal issue November-December 2005
November 15, 2005

October 15th, Toledo, Ohio was the scene of a violent confrontation between police and demonstrators after Neo-Nazis held a rally in a African-American neighborhood on the north side of Toledo. The rally by the Nazis was promoted throughout the local media and anti-fascist activists from around the Midwest were gathered to protest as well as countless members of the community. As the crowd grew to close to 600 people, some eggs and other items were tossed at the Nazis who held up their white power signs in front of their faces as shields. The police responded by riding their horses out into the crowd and protecting the Nazis with shielded officers. They singled out a youth wearing a Cincinnati Red’s hat and arrested him without any explanation. The crowd grew indignant as the Nazis were then escorted by police to where residents believed they were going to begin their march.

Angry youth from the neighborhood then ran around the corner where they proceeded to pick up rocks and went to intercept the Nazi invaders. As a police squad car arrived and attempted to secure the intersection, it was met by a hail of rocks and quickly drove away with smashed windows. Another squad car is then met by the same response and the confrontation between police and protesters had started. The police respond by showing up with bicycle police in gas masks, riot gear, tear gas, rubber bullets, flash bangs, pepper spray and tasers.

The response from the neighborhood was varied. Some residents pleaded with people to not throw rocks, while others yelled “everybody get a rock.” Some people seemed appalled by the violence; a woman held a sign that said “Stop acting foolish. All we humans have hurt one another!!! Repent. Learn to love and forgive.” Another man yelled saying “This is how it should be everyday.” There was a feeling of ecstatic vindication as for the first time people saw cops run from them. Some youth were flashing gang-signs and saying “Bloods. Northside.” On one building was spray-painted G-Code and another sign on a chain-link fence read “Peace on our Streets” and an anti-Nazi symbol.

A man who is later identified as Mayor Jack Ford attempts to address the crowd at one point via megaphone but his words are inaudible over the racket. It is repeated that he was heard saying that people would be mass arrested if they did not disperse. He claimed on the news that someone in the crowd threatened to shoot him so he left. This attempt at diplomacy only furthered the hostility of the crowd and was followed by more tear gas. No other attempts were made to communicate the crowd.

What ensues is further conflict with the police, numerous assaults on all manifestations of the state, media or power. A local bar of 50 years is lit on fire, and police decide to bring a heavy fist as they get reinforcements from 100 state troopers. 69 arrests are made and that turned into 114 by morning – 34 of which were juveniles, many for violating the curfew as police descended upon the neighborhood. One of those arrested was a local anti-authoritarian activist Brian who worked with Food Not Bombs who was picked up before the rioting started because he was carrying a night stick. His bond was set at $11,150 and he was denied 10% bond. Toledo activists are currently seeking donations to bail him out – anything received in excess will go towards other arrestees. Contact lectricsheeps@sbcglobal.net for more info.

The neighborhood now has to heal but with many of its residents and children locked up by the police state they revolted against.

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