Erase the Hate event to counter neo-Nazis
Groups set gathering with unity as theme
Makeyla Bowen, 3, promotes a unity gathering during a press conference at the Zablocki Senior Center on Lagrange Street. The unity event will be at the Zablocki site at noon Oct. 15.
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THE BLADE/MADALYN RUGGIERO
)
A planned neo-Nazi march through a north Toledo neighborhood has drawn the ire of community groups, which plan to hold a unity event at the same time.
Organizers of Erase the Hate, a collaborative effort of 20 area educational, religious, and community organizations and the Lagrange Development Corp., are hoping for public support for their event. It will be held at noon on Oct. 15 at the Zablocki Senior Center on Lagrange Street.
"This is an opportunity to dispel myths about this neighborhood. This is an opportunity to show unity," said Terry Glazer, longtime head of Lagrange Development Corp.
Members of the National Socialist Movement's Toledo-area unit, a neo-Nazi group, are planning an Oct. 15 march in north Toledo to challenge what they describe as two local black gangs and to prevent the "victimization of whites by blacks," a spokesman for the group said this week.
The group said it was attracted to the area because of a dispute between Tom Szych, a resident of Bronson Avenue, and a black neighbor next door as well as one of two black gangs police confirm are operating in the area.
Tina Gott of Warsaw Street joined about 15 people at the Erase the Hate press conference denouncing the neo-Nazi march.
"We believe the Nazi group does not represent anyone in this community," she said. "We will stand against this Nazi rally and we are asking people not to go to their event."
The Rev. Larry Clark, executive director of Toledo Area Ministries and chairman of this year's Erase the Hate campaign, said the group is soliciting volunteers and donations to hold the unity event.
The Rev. Mansour Bey of Toledo's First Church of God said doing nothing in response to National Socialists wearing brown shirts and swastika armbands would send the signal that it is OK to hold such a march in Toledo.
"Sure, there will be police protection, but what about moral support?" he asked. "Toledo is not a magnet for these hate groups. Toledo is a place where we love and respect."
The National Socialist Movement responded to the announcement of the unity rally with "an appropriate amount of cynical disdain," said Bill White, a national spokesman for the group and leader of its unit in Roanoke, Va.
"We stated repeatedly this week that the local blacks and their political leaders are a bunch of loudmouthed cowards, and that we expect that, when confronted with their criminal behavior by strong and organized white people, would run, hide, and whine. And it appears that is exactly what is happening," Mr. White said in a statement.
Mr. White disputed accusations that the National Socialist Movement is a hate group.
"That is what they do, is spread lies and slander," Mr. White said. "That's the whole nature of the anti-racist movement."
Mr. White also accused John Syzch, the father of Tom Szych, of lying when he told The Blade and WNWO-TV, Channel 24, that he opposes the National Socialist Movement and that he threw members of the group off his porch.
"These statements are untrue ... [The elder] Mr. Szych did meet with members of [the movement] after being introduced by mutual acquaintances and neighbors and expressed enthusiastic support" for the group's agenda, he said.
The attitude of John Szych, who could not be reached for comment by The Blade, "changed only because he is concerned about the negative press attention," Mr. White said.
Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171.
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