LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Ohio — After roughly a dozen people displayed swastika-emblazoned flags on an overpass over I-75 near Lincoln Heights and Evendale, residents who live nearby say hate has no place in their communities.
"You will not win," said Julian Cook, a pastor in Lincoln Heights. "You will not win. You may try, but we have a history of being able to push past these things, as difficult as they may be. You will not win."
The people with the flags could be seen on traffic cameras displaying around six black flags with a bright red swastika in the middle. The people displaying the flags appeared to be dressed in all black clothing, including black balaclavas and red face masks.
"My message to the people that's spreading hate, what do you get out of it because God said love all," said Charlene Evans, who lives nearby. "Love all. In this community, we got every race. So we love all."
Syretha Brown, who also lives nearby, said the incident signals a time for the community to stand together.
"It is now time for us to unify," said Brown. "It is now time for us to stand for each other. All of this disruption and all of the confusion and all of the things has to subside, and we must join and build together because if not, nobody is coming to save us."
Many of the individuals with the flags were also openly carrying rifles.
The group also had a banner displayed on the overpass with white supremacy messaging on it. Also on the banner were symbols the American Defamation League says are often used by white supremacist groups and the Nazi party.
Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a statement on social media, saying the display was shocking and disgusting.
"Messages of hate like this have no place in our region," wrote Pureval. "It was shocking and disgusting to see swastikas displayed in Evendale today. This is not what we stand for, and it will never be what we stand for."
Messages of hate like this have no place in our region. It was shocking and disgusting to see swastikas displayed in Evendale today. This is not what we stand for, and it will never be what we stand for.
— Aftab Pureval (@AftabPureval) February 7, 2025
Hamilton County dispatchers said police are on scene and working on "keeping the peace."
Evendale police said they became aware of "an unnanounced protest" on the sidewalks of the overpass.
"The protest, while very offensive, was not unlawful," reads a press release from Evendale police.
On traffic cameras, officers could be seen blocking traffic on the overpass.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the people waving the flags began packing their items into a UHaul parked nearby. As they did this, a large group of people — roughly 20 or more — broke through the police barricades and rushed at the group with the flags.
It's unclear whether any altercations actually broke out, or whether anyone was hurt. There were multiple police cruisers parked on the overpass after everyone cleared from the bridge.
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati issued a statement Friday afternoon, saying they are disturbed by the display.
"We are deeply disturbed by the reprehensible display of hate witnessed today at the Vision Way overpass on I-75, where individuals openly displayed Nazi symbols," reads the statement from Danielle Minson, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. "Such acts of antisemitism, racism and bigotry are an affront to the values of inclusion, respect and unity that define our community. Hate has no place in Cincinnati or anywhere in our society."
Minson wrote the Jewish Federation was alerted to the display by community members and immediately contacted law enforcement. Currently, Minson said the Jewish Federation has not received any information indicating a credible threat against any Cincinnati-area Jewish organization or congregation.
"We will not be intimidated," wrote Minson. "Our response to hate is to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening community bonds, advancing education and advocating for a society free of antisemitism and all forms of hate and bigotry. We urge all citizens of Cincinnati to stand with us in rejecting hate and building a community where all people can live without fear or intimidation."
The Cincinnati NAACP also responded to the incident, saying they are aware of what happened and where they chose to display the message of hate. They also said they question whether the people wielding the flags are residents of Cincinnati.
"We will hold strong in our commitment to the unity and respect for people of all ethnicities, religion, gender, age and sexual orientation," reads the statement from Cincinnati NAACP. "It is well known that people receive messages and actions in different manners. The current executive orders and actions have angered many and emboldened others. This is not normal and should not be accepted as such. We are stronger together and we are calling on all to unify against this behavior."
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