COLUMBUS — Residents and school officials in two Columbus-area neighborhoods woke up Tuesday to a disturbing sight: flyers promoting the Ku Klux Klan left on doorsteps and near school buildings in Clintonville and Worthington.
The Columbus Dispatch confirmed the flyers found in both communities were identical. Worthington City Schools Superintendent Trent Bowers and the board of education said in a social media post that families, principals and teachers discovered “ugly flyers” full of “hateful speech” Tuesday morning.
“We’re disgusted. We’re outraged. And we’re sad,” the district’s post said, adding that the flyers are a stark reminder of why the district works to make Worthington schools a community where everyone is welcome.
Columbus City Schools told families that the district stands against hate and that every student, staff member and family member belongs and is welcome. Clintonville Area Commission Chair Brittany Boulton called the situation “extraordinarily disappointing” and said anyone affiliated with Klan activity is not welcome in Clintonville.
The Columbus branch of the NAACP condemned the flyers and encouraged anyone who finds one to photograph it and report it to the organization at info@naacp614.org.
