Ohio town orders review of police response to neo-Nazi demonstrators
A small Ohio municipality has apologized for not publicly responding to neo-Nazi demonstrators, some holding flags with swastikas, who marched in town recently, and ordered an independent review of how police handled the matter.
Residents had urged officials in Evendale, a suburb of Cincinnati, to explain what prompted the protest and why no one was arrested in the Feb. 7 incident that ended when a group of Black residents confronted the marchers and burned their flags.
'We apologize about not meeting or speaking to you sooner about the problems,' Mayor Richard Finan said in a Monday news conference, adding that officials wanted to determine what transpired before addressing the public.
'We want to improve, make things better and see if we did anything wrong on that day,' he said.
About a dozen black-clad demonstrators, some of whom were armed and holding Nazi flags, marched on a freeway overpass before being confronted by a larger group of Black residents, some of whom were also armed. The march took place near Lincoln Heights, a historically Black community.
Black leaders and residents in the Cincinnati metro area said they were frustrated that the demonstrators were allowed to march at all and requested an investigation into the response by Evendale police and Hamilton County sheriff's deputies.
The Rev. Julian Armand Cook, of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, who was not involved in the confrontation, said he found the demonstration disturbing.
'To see it show up at the gateway to this historic community, the first, the oldest Black, self-governed city north of the Mason-Dixon Line, it is very clear what message it is sending,' he told NBC News earlier this month. 'So it was — I was angry. I was hurt. I was shocked.'
Evendale police have said no laws were broken and officers were obligated to protect the demonstrators' First Amendment right to free speech.
'Any public space can suddenly become the location of a demonstration,' Evendale Police Chief Timothy Holloway said at the news conference. 'These sort of demonstrations are always a possibility.'
Evendale officials said they have hired Chicago-based 21CP Solutions, a public safety consulting firm, to conduct the review. The process will take about three months, they said.
'What happened in Lincoln Heights was awful, heinous, hurtful, hateful, use the word you want to describe,' Evendale Council Member Chris Patterson said. 'It's something that none of us liked and we are absolutely committed to doing what we can to reassure the community."
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval condemned the actions of the protesters shortly after the demonstration ended.
'Messages of hate like this have no place in our region. It was shocking and disgusting to see swastikas displayed in Evendale,' he wrote on X. 'This is not what we stand for, and it will never be what we stand for.'
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NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
How a city in Nebraska is recovering after the state's largest worksite immigration raid
Immigration The city of Omaha is trying to forge ahead following the raid's chilling effect on the local workforce and the community at large. June 15, 2025, 6:00 AM EDT By Nicole Acevedo OMAHA, Nebraska — Every seat in the waiting area of Glenn Valley Foods was occupied with people filling out job applications early Thursday afternoon, two days after the meatpacking plant became the center of the largest worksite immigration raid in the state of Nebraska so far this year. Dozens of prospective employees, many of them Spanish speakers, had been coming in and out of the plant all day. Some were hoping to land a new job; others were coming in for training. The scene gave the company's president, Chad Hartmann, a glimmer of hope amid the chaos that ensued after Tuesday's raid purged roughly half of his staff — many of whom had been longtime employees of the company, which has been processing boxed beef for more than 15 years. Hartmann had never seen or experienced a raid before. He is finding out in real time that 'there's no playbook' on how to move forward after one, Hartmann told NBC News. The process of re-hiring new workers, Hartmann said, feels like asking someone to replace a family member. 'You cannot, in my mind,' he said. 'They were part of our family, and they were taken away.' Seventy-six people working at Glenn Valley Foods were arrested by federal immigration authorities Tuesday morning, the Department of Homeland Security told NBC News in an email. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the arrests were part of an enforcement operation to execute a federal search warrant in connection to an investigation into ' the large-scale employment of aliens without legal work authorization.' As of Friday night, criminal charges had not been filed against those arrested in the raid. About a dozen of them have already been deported or transferred out of state. At least 63 others were taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center. The county's sheriff, Jerome Kramer, said none of the detainees are 'violent offenders' and he hopes to help them 'complete the process to correct their work status and reunite them with families or employers.' Samantha Santiago, who owns a business selling accessories in South Omaha's predominantly Latino business district, said many of the detained people were her customers. 'There are just too many families who were affected,' she said in Spanish, adding that some of people in the community canceled " quinceañeras" and baptisms planned for this weekend because 'the sadness is too deep.' The raid happened on the same week John Ewing officially took office as the first Black mayor of Omaha. Ewing, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Jean Stothert in last month's election. At the same time, anti-ICE demonstrations have been raging across the nation in cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and Philadelphia — protesting the tactics being used when conducting raids and immigration enforcement actions. 'It's a collective effort, as a community, to both mourn together and also try to find solutions together for everybody,' Douglas County Commissioner Roger Garcia, the first Latino to occupy that position, told NBC News. Douglas County, where Omaha is located, is one of just two counties in Nebraska that went blue during the 2024 presidential election. The state as a whole is largely considered a Republican stronghold. Nevada Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican, issued a statement in support of the raids and signed a proclamation Friday to activate the National Guard as a precautionary measure ' in anticipation of anti-ICE protests ' this weekend. In a news conference Wednesday, Ewing said that he does not support workplace raids and Omaha police would not, as a normal course of business, ask people about their immigration status. The dueling points showcase the source of nationwide tensions as Americans grapple with President Donald Trump's actions to fulfill his campaign promise of mass deportations. On Friday, over 500 people protesting Omaha's immigration raids peacefully marched to Charles Schwab Field, where the College World Series — the city's biggest sporting event — was kicking off. 'It is big for tourism in Omaha,' Juan Elizondo, one of the protest's lead organizers, told NBC News. 'The nation here with us — being there present, and letting them hear us, I think is more impactful.' A diverse crowd of demonstrators, from children and young people to older adults, were mostly dressed in white to show peace, though a handful of them even dressed in work uniforms to symbolize immigrants' contributions. Most of them held signs, upside down American flags signaling distress and Latin American flags to represent some of the people's heritage. Dozens of other people driving by honked at the demonstrators and placed flags outside their car windows to show support. The march marked the first time Elizondo, 32, had organized a protest. As an Omaha native and a son of Mexican immigrants, Elizondo said, he felt compelled to step up after he saw that the main message of the protests across the nation was being marred by instances of violence. 'This is definitely an extreme moment in the community,' he said. 'It's gotten a lot more political.' Reeling from the aftermath News of the ICE raid this week sent a crippling, chilling effect across the city. The local library and community college closed early on Tuesday. Construction sites and other workplaces have been desolate. South Omaha's business district, known as a vibrant Hispanic and immigrant enclave, shut down immediately after the raid. As of Friday, some had reopened. About a third of the remaining staff at Glenn Valley Foods showed up to work on Wednesday, with many staying home because they still felt afraid or traumatized, resulting in a roughly 20% drop in production that day, according to Hartmann. As more of the remaining employees showed up Thursday morning — most still reeling from the stress caused by the raid — workers and employees held a meeting. Hartmann described the meeting as a combination of 'tough love' and even passionate disagreements, as people tried to make sense of what happened and find a way to move forward. About 80 employees were at the plant processing meat early Friday afternoon. At the South Omaha business district, a popular Mexican bakery reopened Friday and welcomed dozens of customers taking home pastries for Father's Day weekend. Three hair stylists sat outside their empty salon. They said this weekend tends to be busy for the business, but many of their immigrant customers were not coming in because they were still afraid to be out in public following the raid. Santiago was back at her store Friday after taking a couple of days to process what was happening around her. During those two days, Santiago said she would cry unprompted 'every five minutes.' To find comfort, she went to church and prayed. Scrolling on social media, Santiago saw GoFundMe pages, raffles and other efforts to raise funds for the families affected by the raids. She said some are struggling to afford legal fees and immigration attorneys as well as keep up with family expenses without their spouse's income. Looking for a way to help, Santiago had the idea to take a portion of the proceeds from her bestselling item — the popular Labubu dolls — and donate them to the affected families. Commissioner Garcia's family is among those directly impacted by the raids. His wife's aunt was among the 76 people who were taken into immigration custody. Her son was able to speak with her on Wednesday at around 1 a.m. and learned she was being taken to an immigration processing center in Omaha. Currently, she is at a state detention center elsewhere. 'A lot of these individuals have been here for many years, if not decades, raising a family here, have citizen children and family members here, and they don't fit that profile of being the high-level criminals that are supposed to be the priority for immigration enforcement,' Garcia said. Grappling with a system that 'needs to be repaired' Wrapping and loading boxes of product into trucks, processing meat, maintaining the intricate machinery and repairing and cleaning the plant: these are some of the jobs, Hartmann said, that workers at Glenn Valley Foods do to ensure the meatpacking plant passes strict Safe Quality Food audits and inspections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hartmann explained some of these jobs require rigorous safety training; 'it takes skilled people that take pride in what they do,' he said. The company's president said they have continuously used E-Verify as part of their hiring process. The system is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to let employers know if a prospective employee has legal authorization to work in the U.S. Every employee at Glenn Valley Foods, including those who were detained by ICE, has been approved through E-Verify, Hartmann said. When he told this to DHS during the raid, an agency official described the system they operate as flawed and easy to cheat. Now, as he hires a new workforce, Hartmann has no other alternative but to continue using E-Verify system to screen employees, he said. 'That system doesn't capture a solution if somebody's got a fake ID. That's what needs to be repaired.' Garcia said that limiting immigrants' ability to remain in the country legally is what often pushes people to 'borrow' or 'make up' false identifications. It is for the 'sole purpose of working and nothing else, because there has been no other way for them to adjust their status and work under their own proper name or identification.' 'But our comprehensive immigration reform efforts have not gone through yet, unfortunately. And it's still badly needed,' García said. In researching alternatives for E-Verify with guidance from Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., DHS and federal authorities, Hartmann said the options he was presented included temporary work visa programs such as H-1A — meant for industries dealing with workforce shortages — and H-2B, for nonagricultural jobs. But because these immigration programs are for seasonal workers, 'it doesn't fit our needs,' Hartmann said. Saying goodbye to workers every six months is 'not building a business.' Hartmann wishes government officials would consider creating a limited period of amnesty for undocumented people who 'meet certain qualifications' such as never having committed a crime, a desire to work, pay taxes and be part of the community. This could be a temporary remedy for people looking to get legal immigration status, he suggested. While that might not be the answer to the larger immigration issue, he said it's 'some version that makes sense.' 'There should be no problem with that,' Hartmann said, 'to just stop the bleeding, stop the problem.' A new generation of residents speak out Elizondo organized Friday's protest with the help and support of other more experienced Latino and immigrant rights advocates. A group of them met on Thursday afternoon at a downtown Omaha restaurant to plan the demonstration. They shared advice on how to work with local law enforcement to ensure the protests remained peaceful and focused on how immigration raids are hurting their communities, the community activists said. 'That has made the new generation speak up,' Rosa la Puente, one of the advocates mentoring Elizondo, said about the recent events. Many in the community are questioning the timing of the Omaha raid, wondering if the city was targeted for political reasons. When asked about this at a news conference on Wednesday, Ewing said, 'I don't know why Omaha was targeted.' For young Omaha residents like Elizondo and Jennifer Reyna, 29, the issue feels personal. Elizondo said he was inspired to step up after he saw his mother's leadership, consoling co-workers at James Skinner Baking, a local baking manufacturer, who were paralyzed with fear following the raid. 'It breaks your heart,' he said. Reyna, who attended Friday's protest, said they want their voices heard beyond Omaha. 'Everyone at this point in time in the community is afraid and is extremely upset,' Reyna said. Amid a feeling of helplessness, "we're trying to live normal, hardworking lives in this country that we do love,' she said. Nicole Acevedo Nicole Acevedo is a national reporter for NBC News and NBC Latino.
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Israel launches 'Rising Lion' air strikes on Iran nuclear sites as smoke rises over Tehran
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dramatic scenes unfolded over Tehran as multiple smoke plumes were spotted at around 3.30am local time, with the Israeli military describing the incident as a "preemptive, precise, combined offensive" that targeted dozens of sites across Iran. A U.S. official assured CNN that America played no role in the Israeli strikes, which are expected to continue for several days according to Israel's announcement. In a seven-minute television address delivered shortly after sirens roused the nation early on Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: "This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. For decades the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction." Netanyahu continued with a stark warning, stating, "They have backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons. In recent years Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs." He further highlighted Iran's alarming actions, saying, "In recent months Iran has taken steps it has never taken before, steps to weaponise this enriched uranium.", reports the Daily Record. The Prime Minister concluded with a grave message about the urgency of the situation: "If not stopped Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time." He emphasised, "This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival." Netanyahu drew a historical parallel, asserting, "This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival. 80 years ago the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust, perpetrated by the Iranian regime." Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has declared a nationwide state of emergency following the IDF missile attack. "Following the State of Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future", stated Katz. Reports from local sources suggest that dozens of targets across Iran linked to its nuclear programme were hit, along with other military facilities. The operation is reportedly named "Strength of a Lion." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a statement posted on X that Israel acted alone, without US assistance. (Image: AP) "Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel." Following the attack, Israel has sounded alarms across the country as a pre-emptive warning to citizens of a potential retaliatory strike from Iran. Iran's state-run Nour News has confirmed that explosions have been seen in Tehran and flights to and from Iran's capital have been suspended.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Green light for Flamingo Land resort in Loch Lomond 'would make locals leave in droves'
Community activists told the Sunday Mail of their relief after SNP ministers dramatically recalled the controversial £43.5million plans. Locals would leave in droves if 'nightmare' Flamingo Land holiday resort in Loch Lomond ever got the green light, campaigners have warned. Community activists told the Sunday Mail of their relief after SNP ministers dramatically recalled the controversial £43.5million plans for a waterpark, monorail, hotels, 104 chalets and more in Balloch on Tuesday. The Scottish Government had faced widespread condemnation over an initial decision by its Reporter – a civil servant who reviews planning appeals – to back the mega resort. That would have reversed a unanimous rejection of the bid by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in September. The Nationalist government's subsequent U-turn came on the eve of a potentially embarrassing Holyrood vote on the issue tabled by Labour's Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie – which ministers would have almost certainly lost. Balloch and Haldane community councillor Lynne Somerville said of the decision: 'I think there was a collective sigh of relief. 'There's a real fear here. People are talking about selling their homes and moving [if the development goes ahead. 'That's the people who are in a position to be able to do that. There's lots of us that aren't in that position. 'It's just going to make this place hell on Earth for the locals, so there's a real dread hanging over the community.' When she heard SNP minister Ivan McKee was 'calling in' the appeal for further consideration, Lynne says she was in a spin class. She said: 'My phone started pinging then I was punching in the air, screaming in delight and then I burst out crying.' The Lomond Banks development from Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land would see a water park, a monorail, micro-brewery, two hotels, restaurants, shops and more than 100 woodland lodges built across the sprawling site. But critics say it would scar the iconic landscape of Loch Lomond, while adding to problems on the already congested A82, an accident hotspot. Independent councillor Jim Bollan, who opposes the Flamingo Land bid, said he was still wary SNP chiefs could green-light the resort despite more than 155,000 people signing a Scottish Greens petition against the plans. The Leven councillor said: 'The fortunate thing is we've got the Scottish Parliament elections coming up in May next year. I'm sure that'll be weighing heavy on the government. 'This has been going on for 10 years now and it has been a rollercoaster, back and forward. I think we're at the last hurdle and I genuinely hope they'll make the right decision. 'If the SNP government doesn't listen to 155,000 people who objected to this, they will suffer dearly at the ballot box.' He also criticised the Scottish Government Reporter's 'absolutely incredible' initial judgment to back Flamingo Land's appeal, claiming the civil servant had ignored key arguments against on conservation grounds and on flood risk, which was flagged by watchdog SEPA. Jim added: 'It's so undemocratic the way the system is laid out to allow one individual to overturn a unanimous decision by the planning authority.' Both campaigners – who sit on the board of the new Loch Lomond South Community Trust which wants to buy the land back for the community – separately raised the issues on the A82. Lynne said: 'That road is often like being in a car park. When you see the A82 blocked up and you see ambulances trying to get through, you get concerned and hope whoever is in that ambulance doesn't need serious emergency treatment that can't be dealt with in the ambulance.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Jim said: 'It would take millions to make sure the A82 was in such a condition it could take the extra 250 vehicles every hour expected at peak times. 'And sadly, there isn't a week that goes by without a fatality on that road.' The Scottish Government said because the planning appeal is live, it couldn't comment on specifics of the case. SNP Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: 'I have decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.' Flamingo Land's developers Lomond Banks were approached for comment.
