The Ohio Building Authority has granted a request for members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement to hold a rally Dec. 10 in front of Government Center in downtown Toledo.
The Nov. 23 letter indicates the rally will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and that access will not be permitted inside the building, which is located on Jackson Street between Erie and Huron streets. Participants cannot block the entrances and exits to the building by authorized personnel or emergency services, the letter states.
The authority, which oversees the state-owned Government Center property, sent the letter to Ron Riehl, who is the leader of the neo-Nazi's unit in northwest Ohio and who has a Fremont post office box address. He could not be reached yesterday for comment.
Mark Gibson, executive director of the building authority, said yesterday the letter was in response to written correspondence sent to the authority. He said there is no permit attached to the letter.
The letter indicates the Ohio Highway Patrol is responsible for securing the property and that the National Socialist group's members are expected to cooperate with troopers.
"While allowing access, it would be in accordance with what the patrol set up," Mr. Gibson said.Representatives from Toledo police, the OHP and the neo-Nazi group met last week to discuss arrangements for the Dec. 10 rally. Local and state authorities have been planning for the movement's return since a riot erupted after the group's Oct. 15 rally in North Toledo was canceled.
Several police officers, two city firefighters, and some members of the media were injured during the October rioting, which resulted in more than 120 arrests.
A review of arrest records by The Blade found that those charged with aggravated rioting, arson, breaking and entering, and other offenses that day were almost entirely residents of the North Toledo neighborhood where the rioting occurred or of immediately adjacent Zip Codes in the city.
The newspaper also contacted various governmental agencies involved in riot security and response to calculate that the disturbance cost taxpayers at least $336,000 in overtime, vehicle damage, and other expenses.
That figure did not include tens of thousands of dollars in private losses for looted businesses, a local tavern that was set afire, or damages to homes and citizens' vehicles caused by rioters throwing rocks or other objects.
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