Flyers and business cards with Ku Klux Klan images and messaging were found Tuesday morning in multiple central Ohio neighborhoods, according to WCMH. Residents, Columbus city officials, and school leaders spoke out against the materials.
Simon Buehrer, a Clintonville resident, discovered the papers while biking near World Language Middle School. After realizing what they contained, he collected them. Columbus City Schools said flyers also appeared near an elementary school in the area. Other streets had flyers as well, and neighbors helped clean them up. Resident Lesley described the neighborhood as welcoming and said the items were removed quickly.
One flyer included a slogan about Flock and the block, with a missing apostrophe, WCMH reported.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther provided a statement calling the flyers a vile and hateful intrusion that conflicts with the city's values. He expressed anger and sadness that children, families, and residents were exposed. City Council President Shannon Hardin also issued a statement condemning the incident.
A city spokesperson said flyers were found on a few streets in Upper Arlington. Worthington Schools' superintendent and board said flyers described as ugly were found in that community, including near schools. Their statement said Worthington welcomes all and will not accept people spreading hate under the cover of darkness, adding that they were disgusted, outraged, and sad.