Neighbors: Neo-Nazis Had No Right to March - Mayor Disagrees (Miers-free thread)

Yahoo News ^ | 10/16/05 | JOHN SEEWER

[Libloather]

Neighbors: Neo-Nazis Had No Right to March
By JOHN SEEWER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 10 minutes ago

Lou Ratajski stands in front of his damaged club, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, in Toledo, Ohio. Jim and Lou's Sportsmans Club was damged during an outbreak of violence in response to a white supremacist march in a North Toledo neighbothood. The riot broke out Saturday when protesters confronted members of the National Socialist Movement who had gathered at a city park. Rioters threw baseball-sized rocks at police, vandalized vehicles and stores, and set fire to a neighborhood bar, authorities said. (AP Photo/Daniel Miller)

TOLEDO, Ohio - In the days leading up to a white supremacist march, ministers pleaded with residents to stay calm and community leaders organized peace rallies. Authorities even delayed releasing the route so protesters wouldn't know where the group planned to march.

It wasn't enough to stop an angry mob that included gang members from looting and burning a neighborhood bar, smashing the windows of a gas station and hurling rocks and bottles at police on Saturday. Twelve officers were injured, one suffering a concussion when a brick flew through her cruiser window.

In all, 114 people were arrested on charges including assault, vandalism, failure to disperse and overnight curfew violations.

"We knew during the preparation that it was going to be a tremendous challenge," Police Chief Mike Navarre said Sunday. "Anyone who would accuse us of being underprepared I would take exception with that."

Much of the anger boiled over because people were upset that city leaders were willing to allow the supremacists to walk through the neighborhood and shout insults, residents and authorities said.

"You can't allow people to come challenge a whole city and not think they weren't going to strike back," said Kenneth Allen, 47, who watched the violence begin near his home.

Authorities said there was little they could do to stop the group, because they did not apply for a parade permit and instead planned to walk along sidewalks.

"They do have a right to walk on the Toledo sidewalks," said Mayor Jack Ford, who at one point confronted leaders of the mob and tried to settle them down.

A gang member in a mask threatened to shoot him, and others cursed him for allowing the march, the mayor said. He said he didn't know if the man who threatened him was actually armed, but he blamed gangs for much of the violence. The march had been called off because of the crowds, and the white supremacists had left.

If the Nazi group tries to come back, Ford said he would seek a court order to stop them.

Navarre said the riots escalated because members of the National Socialist Movement took their protest to the neighborhood, which is predominantly black, instead of a neutral place. "If this march had occurred in downtown Toledo, we wouldn't have had the unrest," he said.

The neo-Nazi group, known as "America's Nazi Party," said they came to the city because of a dispute between neighbors, one white and the other black.

Police began receiving word midweek from officers on the street that gangs were going to descend on the neighborhood in protest, the police chief said. The disturbances were confined to a 1-square-mile area, but the crowd swelled to about 600 people, overwhelming police.

The crowds were eventually dispersed by police in riot gear after about four hours, and the mayor declared a state of emergency that remained in effect through the weekend.

About 200 officers patrolled the neighborhood overnight after the riot, Navarre said. Police reported no problems Sunday, but an 8 p.m. curfew was in effect for a second night.

Neighbors were divided about the city allowing the march.

"They don't have the right to bring hate to my front yard," said Terrance Anderson, who lives near a bar that was destroyed.

Other neighbors said the group had a right to have their say. "Too bad the people couldn't ignore them," said Dee Huntley.

[Libloather]

"They don't have the right to bring hate to my front yard," said Terrance Anderson

How about the perps chucking rocks and burning buildings?

[Americanwolf]

""They don't have the right to bring hate to my front yard," said Terrance Anderson, who lives near a bar that was destroyed."

Pot meet kettle...

[Steamburg]

Like it or not, people may express their opinion and accept responsibility for their statements. At least this Nazi scum shows their faces. You can remember who they are and voice your opinion in whom you hire or patronize. Not all of those with whom we disagree are so transparent.

Remember, we have no obligation to listen to them or to support them. The same should be said of the liberals on college campuses.

[43north]

Let's see, the white gangsters don't have a right to march but its OK for the black gangsters to pillage and burn?

People who think like that deserve what they get.

[KCRW]

I just had to post in this thread- because it was a Miers-free zone.

I don't care who started what first, neither the neo-nazis or the gang leaders have any right to go on a rampage thru the streets of any community.

[Texas Eagle]

Let's see, the white gangsters don't have a right to march but its OK for the black gangsters to pillage and burn?

Heyyyyyy...you're catching on. John Edwards tried telling us there's two Americas. If this isn't evidence of that then nothing is.

[festus]

So what yer sayin is, "John Edwards Was Right !"

;-)

[sgtbono2002]

The Neo-Nazis have the same rights as Farrakhan and his Million Man march.

[Texas Eagle]

What are the odds.

[Texas Eagle]

The Neo-Nazis have the same rights as Farrakhan and his Million Man march.

Yup. Each are Constitutionally guaranteed the right to publicly display their stupidity. As long as they get the proper permits and whatnot.

[bdfromlv]

Every day the ACLU brings the same kind of confrontations in many public courtrooms in every state and no one complains about their rights to do it.

[SirJohnBarleycorn]

While the nazis are undoubtedly too stupid to have planned this outcome beforehand, the rampaging mostly-minority mob, by behaving like animals, actually ended up furthering the nazis' goals.

[uncbob]

What the hell has it to do with the rioting

[Pharmboy]

Miers wrote about the riots, and we at FreeRepublic were able to get a copy. Here's an exerpt:

It is incomprehensible to good people meeting in meetings that these misdirected underprivileged peace-challenged persons would inflict outer-directed damage towards their environs.

[Bullfrogg]

Political Correctness equals Liberal Appeasement.....Right?

[Peter Libra]

"A picture is often worth a thousand words".

Requiem for a neighborhood bar.

A harmless enough little establishment as most of these small modest bars are. In the day, the locals, or even a chance stranger can enter. The hum of voices and the clink of the odd glass, signify a welcome. A mere glance and the bartender will give you your choice. Just the place to unwind and consider life in general. Maybe a bit jolly on week-ends, lots of laughs and good for the soul. Within moderation of course.

They damn well burnt it. Nothing to do with "Nazi's"- so-called. Enough said.

[Youngman442002]

Yes it pretty much shows the Nazis' are right..to bad for the Gang members..but what is their cause...burn and destroy the neighborhood...cause its there..

[EGPWS]

Authorities said there was little they could do to stop the group, because they did not apply for a parade permit and instead planned to walk along sidewalks.

So much for the dependable "authority figure".

[EGPWS]

Yes it pretty much shows the Nazis' are right..

Be gone of your own free will before you are banned!