Federal aid sought for big police bill for Nazi rally held in Omaha

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10133262

Published Sunday | September 16, 2007
Federal aid sought for big police bill for rally
BY KAREN SLOAN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

An hourlong rally by a Nazi group and counterprotesters two weeks ago ended peacefully without arrests or property damage.

But providing security at the Sept. 1 rally outside the Mexican Consulate wasn't cheap.

Local law enforcement agencies spent at least $69,000 to station 316 officers around the rally site. That total does not include four of the 10 agencies involved or federal law enforcement officers who also assisted.

About 65 members of the Minneapolis-based National Socialist Movement showed up at the rally. An estimated 120 people also came to protest against the Nazi group.

A 2005 protest held by the same group sparked a riot in Toledo, Ohio, where 120 were arrested, a bar was burned down and two stores were looted.

The law enforcement agencies hope to be reimbursed with federal Homeland Security grant money, which is distributed by state officials.

FULL story at link.

[murielm99]

1. I wish they could figure out a way to bill

the Nazis for at least part of the security.

I can't see it happening, though. It could set a bad precedent.

But what if the Southern Poverty Law Center could think of a unique way to sue them, without infringing on the rights of other types of protesters? Wouldn't that be great?