In Lincoln Heights, Ohio, a historically Black community just north of Cincinnati, residents have taken their safety into their own hands following a neo-Nazi rally that targeted their neighborhood. Since the February 7 incident—when demonstrators waved swastikas and shouted slurs from an overpass—local volunteers have formed the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch Program. Every morning, they patrol school bus stops, wearing tactical gear and concealing their identities to avoid threats from hate groups.
Jay, one of the volunteers, said, “We have a very tight community, so all of our kids, they know us.” But outside eyes might not understand the image of a masked man in a vest watching over children. His anonymity, he said, is necessary for protection. The program grew out of the Heights Movement, a local initiative originally focused on youth mentorship and empowerment. Now, some of those same mentors are armed patrol volunteers. “I’ve never felt safer as a Black man in my community than I have right now,” said group spokesperson Daronce Daniels. “These are my friends. These are my cousins, my brothers, my sisters, my aunties.”
The February 7 rally drew response from nearby Evendale police and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office—but no arrests were made. Evendale Mayor Richard Finan praised the police for prioritizing de-escalation, but many residents see the inaction as another sign they cannot rely on official channels for protection. “They’ve been very clear that if it happens again, they’ll allow it to happen again,” Daniels said.
Local business owner Eric Ruffin, who was confronted by neo-Nazis that day, expressed frustration: “What I don’t understand is how I can be standing here in America in 2025... and law enforcement watch.”
For many, this grassroots defense effort is about legacy. “It’s just something that our grandfathers and our great-grandmothers — they started this,” one anonymous volunteer said. Yard signs show strong community support. As resident Chantelle Phillips put it, “I know my son can walk home and be OK.”
Despite concerns from law enforcement about potential escalation, residents believe their protection is long overdue—and that their survival demands it.
Link: NBC NEWS
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