In the last five years, the National Alliance has maintained a strong presence in Ohio,
particularly in Cleveland and its outlying suburbs. A local unit with approximately 50
members meets regularly in Cleveland under the leadership of Erich Gliebe, with 200
additional members living throughout the state. Telephone message services are operated
out of Parma and Dayton.
The Cleveland unit has successfully hosted numerous public gatherings in recent years.
In 1995, the group reportedly sponsored two "white power" rock concerts in the
Cleveland area. Attendance topped 200 at each event. Like their Florida brethren,
Cleveland members have organized several speeches by David Irving and David Duke. Irving
appeared in October 1995, September 1996, and June 1997 and returned to Cleveland a fourth
time in June 1998. Duke spoke in May 1997.
Perhaps more than any of the other NA cells around the country, members of the
Cleveland unit seem to regard the organization not only as a political group, but as a
white "European" social club as well. Members have reportedly invited friends
and family to regular social events, including a "Spring Buffet Dinner" and an
annual "European American Cultural Fest." The latter event, which was held for
the second time in April 1998, featured a dinner catered by Cleveland members, as well as
Irish and Slovakian dance acts and folk music. It was attended by 150-200 people of all
ages, with William Pierce and Tom Metzger among the more prominent participants.
A variety of National Alliance materials have turned up in residential neighborhoods
and on college campuses around the state. In two instances over the last decade,
individuals have been prosecuted for defacing property with NA propaganda stickers. In
1994, Ray Wolbert of Bay Village was convicted of pasting NA stickers in library books at
Cleveland State University. In 1990, John Winch of Rocky River was convicted of criminal
damaging in connection with similar stickers he affixed to books in a B. Dalton bookstore.
A Canton member has used his mail order business, which offers Nazi literature and
memorabilia, to push the organization's white supremacist message and attract recruits.
The mail order service, called 88 Enterprises, advertises the NA's radio program and
hotline number and has shared its customer list with the NA. (The number "88" is
often used by young neo-Nazis as a coded abbreviation for "Heil Hitler," because
"H" is the eighth letter in the alphabet.)
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