A sticker with the message “White Youth in Revolt” is among more than two dozen placed in various locations around downtown Columbus, primarily along Washington Street, earlier this week.
Photo provided by Scott Keen
Columbus police are asking for the public’s help in trying to find out who is responsible for dozens of instances of white supremacist vandalism downtown earlier this week.
“Despicable” is the word Columbus Police Department spokesman Lt. Matt Harris used to describe the more than two dozen stickers, spray painted messages and other vandalism with messages such as “white unity every opportunity” and “white youth in revolt”. The vandalism was promptly covered over or removed, officials said.
Community leaders on Thursday said they were looking into the vandalism while also mindful of not giving publicity to the racist and sometimes violent groups behind the messaging, who seek to use it as a recruitment tool.
Harris said CPD is hoping downtown property owners and residents with security camera footage or who may have seen suspicious activity will report it, so that it will enhance what police already know from security video from city-owned cameras in the area, primarily in the downtown core along Washington Street.
A CPD detective has been assigned to investigate the rash of vandalism that appeared between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, Harris said. He said a passerby noticed the vandalism and contacted the office of Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, who referred the matter to police, notified the city human relations commission and dispatched public works crews to remove the stickers and paint over public property that was defaced.
Leinhoop said he appreciated a prompt report so that the divisive vandalism could be removed. “We continue to be disappointed when we see these things,” he said. “It’s just not a part of what we want to do here in Columbus, and when it does raise its head, we chase it down” and erase such messages.
“On the one hand, we need to acknowledge things like this happen and there are people out there who espouse these beliefs,” Lienhoop said. “On the other hand, we’re always chagrined to give them any publicity because that’s what they’re seeking.”
Lienhoop also asked for the public’s help in furnishing video or tips to Columbus police. “There are cameras everywhere, particularly in the downtown area,” he said, and more information from the public will “give us an opportunity to do a little investigation and hopefully that will lead us to the source.”
Some of the stickers placed by vandals referenced a website affiliated with the white supremacist organization Active Clubs. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, classifies the Indiana Active Club as a statewide white nationalist organization.
The Anti-Defamation League describes Active Clubs as “a nationwide network of localized white supremacist crews” who train in mixed martial arts and are largely inspired by Robert Rundo’s white supremacist Rise Above Movement. Rundo is believed to be out of the country, but SPLC reported that Rundo and two confederates are scheduled to stand trial next month in federal court in Los Angeles on rioting-related charges stemming from violent attacks at political rallies in 2017.
“… Active Club members see themselves as fighters training for an ongoing war against a system they claim is deliberatively plotting against the white race,” according to the ADL.
Harris noted there have been prior instances of racist vandalism downtown, and it’s unknown whether they are related in any way.
“It is upsetting, especially in a community like Columbus that has a very diverse group of people who live and work here,” he said.
Local civil rights leaders said Thursday they were waiting to learn more.
“We’ll make a public statement once we hear from our community leaders who are researching it,” said Bishop Johnnie Edwards, president of the Columbus/Bartholomew County NAACP. “We will trust in our system, trust in our government leaders to take action,” he said. He said he also trusted leaders’ actions would affirm that Columbus is “a welcoming community.”
“Ultimately, the safety of our community is our main concern collectively. We don’t want to assume, we don’t want to jump to conclusions,” he said.
Edwards said the vandalism is another example of people seeking to exploit division. “But our voices for unity are louder when we stand together.”
Pastor Mike Harris, president of the African American Pastors Alliance in Columbus, said his organization had other concerns.
“We don’t want to give it any breath or life,” Harris said. “If we respond to stuff like that, it’s just a matter of time before it gets crazier.” He observed that Ku Klux Klan openly recruited in downtown Columbus during his lifetime, but to his thinking, depriving such groups of attention is a good approach.
“We have a history, but it’s not a majority in this community. … The majority of this community doesn’t feel that way, I just don’t believe,” Harris said, noting the Pastors Alliance is focusing its energy elsewhere.
“People need to be helped and supported, and yes, we know there’s some negative things happening,” he said. “But you know what? Love beats hate. Always has, always will.”
