2005 Toledo Riot

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On the 15th of October 2005, the American branch of the National Socialist Movement planned a march to raise awareness of what they claimed to be victimisation and abuse of white families at the hands of black street gangs in Ohio.

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NSM88 march

The National Socialist Movement (unofficially known as America's Nazi Party- although it is unrelated to the old American Nazi Party) planned an 80 man march through Toledo, Ohio, allegedly at the behest of white families who felt that black gangs were singling them out for abuse. The area of northern Toldeo was once the base of a thriving Polish immigrant community, but in recent years, suffering from high poverty and unemployment, it has declined into a gang area. The NSM planned to protest-march through the area and hold a meeting, but only 15 members arrived before they were escorted safely away by police after counter-demonstrators appeared.

Response

Counter-demonstrators

After Police escorted the first 15 members out of the town, the 600 strong counter-protest turned violent, with shops being looted and a white-owned bar being burnt down. The mob hurled baseball-sized rocks at police, violence that culminated in the arrest of 114 rioters (no member of the NSM was arrested). The violence was directed mainly at the police, with cruisers overturned, 11 officers were injured, with one female officer concussed after a brick smashed through the side window of her vehicle and hit her in the head. After the violence, counter-protestors blamed the authorities for not acting sooner. Unrest amongst gang-members had existed throughout the week, and a number of the protestors were wearing gang colours according to the mayor.

Mayor

Although disturbed by the intentions to march, the towns black mayor Jack Ford was extremely critical of the violence, saying that it was "just what the nazis wanted". He declared that a state of emergency existed and imposed an 8pm curfew on the entire city. 200 officers and SWAT team members patrolled the area of the city where the violence had taken place.

NSM88

The National Socialist Movement was critical of the police handling of the event, and released a video showing the counter-protest in a negative light.

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