COLUMBUS, Ohio—Dozens of people from across the city gathered in the Columbus Short North district on a cold December afternoon recently to show the world that “Hate has no home here.”
Coming just weeks after the shocking Nazi march in Columbus, which received international press coverage and condemnation from the Biden administration, the people of Columbus organized a “Walk for Humanity” down the same city streets.
“We need to take this horrible event and turn it around into something that can be really positive for a lot of people,” said Kathleen Minor, event organizer. About three dozen community members gathered in the Short North, carrying an array of banners that included the Pride flag and signs with popular slogans such as “Be The Change.”
Organizers distributed “Be Kind” stickers to passersby amid the busy holiday shopping season in one of Columbus’ top retail districts. The atmosphere of the protest was jubilant, with speakers blasting songs such as “We are the World” and “I Will Survive” from a small cart pulled at the front of the march. Kids and adults alike were feeling the festive energy, “I just love the music,” said photographer and participant Jenny Riegler.
The positivity and joy were mirrored by the community as the march progressed through the Short North, with passing cars honking and smiling folks waving from shops and cafes along the route. Marchers stopped and exchanged hugs with friends and acquaintances at local businesses. At one point, the crowd encountered a runner coming down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. The crowd parted in the middle and the man passed through with his fist raised in the air in support.
The community reception to the Walk for Humanity was a stark contrast to Columbus’ response to Nazis on its streets weeks previously. Police body cam footage shows the Nazi demonstrators complaining to officers that they had been attacked by bystanders as they marched through the Short North carrying swastika flags and shouting hate slogans.
One officer responded with the sentiments of the entire city in a spontaneous comment memorialized in the bodycam footage, “I definitely feel your First Amendment rights to say whatever nonsense this is, but c’mon, man, the Buckeyes are playing. Man, come on.”
Police noted in their account that the Nazis appeared to be covered in pepper spray. The Columbus Dispatch reported that people “pulled guns on them and threw cans and vegetables” at the Nazis.
None of that energy was present on Saturday afternoon at the Walk for Humanity. Although a group of three Columbus police officers accompanied the march to ensure safety, at no point in the hours-long demonstration was there even a hint of confrontation.
As the sun glared low on the horizon and between the old brick buildings in the late evening, the smiling crowd gathered for a group photo before dispersing.
“Maybe this is a new beginning for something different” reflected Minor, smiling, as the crowd dispersed Saturday evening. We all hope so.
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