Blood Tribe
Founding leaderChristopher Pohlhaus
Dates of operation2020–present
Ideology
AlliesGoyim Defense League

Blood Tribe is a neo-Nazi group founded in 2020 by Christopher Pohlhaus, a former Marine turned tattoo artist. By 2023, members of the group began participating in anti-LGBTQ+ protests and established chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Founded around the same time as the neo-Nazi groups The Base and Nationalist Social Club-131, Blood Tribe has described itself as an "end of the pipeline type group" in terms of its extreme radicalization.

Background

After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps,[1] Pohlhaus (also known as "Hammer") was living in San Antonio, Texas in 2020, working as a tattoo artist. He developed an online following by promoting white supremacy propaganda, producing podcasts and selling gear. He espoused a need to take "a last stand, a righteous war" against those who "call for the destruction of their birthright and posterity." By 2021 Pohlhaus had networked with other white supremacy groups and recruited followers into a membership organization, naming it Blood Tribe.[2]

In May 2022, Pohlhaus bought 10.6 acres (4.3 ha) of land in Springfield, Maine to build an encampment where members could live and train.[3] In October 2023, Pohlhaus sold the property to a Massachusetts man, citing local pressure.[4]

Activities

In March 2023, dozens of Blood Tribe members disrupted a Drag Queen Story Hour near Akron, Ohio, carrying weapons and chanting "Sieg Heil" while giving Nazi salutes.[5] In May 2023, a few dozen Blood Tribe members demonstrated outside a drag event in Columbus, Ohio. Dressed in red, with most wearing black face masks and sunglasses, they carried a black flag with a swastika and a banner reading "there will be blood." They chanted slogans such as "no transgenders on our streets" and something with the phrase "under the Aryan sun."[6] Blood Tribe was joined by members of Nationalist Social Club-131 at both demonstrations.[1]

On September 2, 2023, members of the antisemitic hate group Goyim Defense League joined Blood Tribe members for a public demonstration in Altamonte Springs, Florida, near Orlando. A few dozen demonstrators participated in what they called the "March of the Redshirts," waving swastika flags, performing Nazi salutes and shouting "Heil Hitler."[7][8]

By August 2023, some Maine officials were considering prohibiting militia training camps, which raised free speech issues. State senator Joe Baldacci drafted a bill to criminalize offering training in firearms, explosives or other tactics with the intent of causing a "civil disorder."[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Makuch, Ben (July 8, 2023). "Russian militia has links to American neo-Nazi and anti-trans figures". The Intercept. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ Center on Extremism (August 28, 2023). "Blood Tribe". Anti-Defamation League. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  3. ↑ Tomaselli, Kathleen Phalen (August 7, 2023). "Neo-Nazi leader establishes training site in Maine". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Tomaselli, Kathleen Phalen (November 1, 2023). "Neo-Nazi says Mainers made it 'too dangerous' to keep Springfield property". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Wiggins, Christopher (March 13, 2023). "Neo-Nazis Chanting 'Sieg Heil' Target Drag Queen Story Event". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ Filby, Max (May 1, 2023). "Nazis protest at Land-Grant drag brunch: Here's what you need to know now". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ Rommen, Rebecca (September 2, 2023). "Neo-Nazis parade swastika flags in Florida, chanting 'We are everywhere'". Business Insider. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ramirez, Isabella (September 2, 2023). "Neo-Nazis March Through Florida Park". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  9. ↑ Miller, Kevin (August 30, 2023). "Proposal to prevent paramilitary and neo-Nazi training camps sparks free speech debate". Maine Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
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