Armed black militias have emerged in the historic community of Lincoln Heights, Cincinnati, confronting neo-Nazi provocateurs who recently invaded their neighborhood with swastika flags and racial slurs. Local police stand accused of showing concerning leniency toward the white supremacists. At the same time, the predominantly black community mobilizes to protect itself and its children amid escalating racial tensions following President Trump’s return to office.
Historic Black Community Responds to Neo-Nazi Threat
Lincoln Heights, the first self-governing black municipality north of the Mason-Dixon line, has formed a community safety patrol after neo-Nazis brazenly marched through their streets waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs. The Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch program now includes armed residents escorting children to school amid fears about inadequate police protection in the community.
Why parents are walking their kids to school armed and in combat gear in an Ohio suburb https://t.co/i0IQLbAIdS
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 27, 2025
Local law enforcement’s response has drawn significant criticism from residents who observed officers allowing neo-Nazis to demonstrate without making arrests or even collecting identification information. Community leaders point to a troubling double standard in policing approaches, with William Umphres of the safety patrol emphasizing their defensive rather than offensive posture in responding to the white supremacist provocation.
Police Inaction Sparks Community Self-Defense
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is now reviewing their handling of the neo-Nazi demonstration after significant backlash from residents and civil rights advocates. Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “At some point, we are going to likely face a hazardous situation,” reflecting growing concerns about potential violence.
— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) March 27, 2025
Community members have rallied behind the safety patrol, viewing it as necessary protection against outside threats in a climate of rising racial tensions. The armed patrol members, many exercising their Second Amendment rights while openly carrying firearms, maintain they are not affiliated with radical groups, with patrol leader Daronce Daniels stating, “We don’t see ourselves as Black Panthers or even Black Lives Matter.”
Political Context Fuels Nationwide Tensions
The situation in Lincoln Heights reflects broader national concerns, with recent polling indicating 47% of Americans now expect a civil war in their lifetime. The timing of these tensions aligns with the Trump administration’s return to power and renewed opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that many minority communities view as vital protections.
“This is not a race war or anything of that nature” – William Umphres.
Lincoln Heights’ economic challenges compound the current crisis, with property values falling dramatically and the population halving over recent decades from its cultural heyday in the 1960s. Critics of the armed patrol warn that such militarization could escalate tensions and potentially play into the narrative that white supremacist groups promote about inevitable racial conflict.
The community now finds itself at a critical juncture, balancing the constitutional right to self-defense with concerns about further polarization in an already divided nation. Local officials are considering policy changes, including potential bans on masks for armed individuals. At the same time, community members remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting their children and preserving their historic neighborhood against those who would threaten it with violence and intimidation.