Blood Tribe Neo-Nazi group stages march on Wisconsin Capitol

By Better Today On Nov 18, 2023

TL/DR –

Around two dozen members of the neo-Nazi group “Blood Tribe” marched on the Wisconsin state Capitol grounds, causing alarm and protest from bystanders. The group’s appearance coincides with an increase in reports of antisemitism and islamophobia in the US, and the demonstration led to condemnation from several lawmakers. Despite the hateful messages and scare tactics used by the group, the police deemed the demonstration lawful and protected by First Amendment rights.

Neo-Nazi March in Madison Raises Concerns Over Rising Antisemitism

Almost two dozen individuals brandishing swastika flags and spouting antisemitic slogans marched on the Wisconsin state Capitol grounds on a recent Saturday afternoon. The marchers, wearing red shirts emblazoned with “Blood Tribe,” are known to be part of a neo-Nazi group that espouses white supremacist views and openly targets Jews, ‘non-whites’, and the LGBTQ+ community, as per the Anti-Defamation League.

The group’s march comes amidst rising incidents of antisemitism and islamophobia in the United States, coinciding with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The group chanted hate-filled slogans, made intimidating threats, and hurled racial slurs at onlookers. They marched through Madison’s famous pedestrian State Street and paused outside the statehouse’s south entrance for about half an hour before proceeding to a nearby park.

Open disapproval was expressed by many bystanders. One of the demonstrators was identified as Christopher Pohlhaus, an ex-U.S. Marine now associated with the Blood Tribe.

Several state and federal lawmakers from Wisconsin condemned the demonstration. “This has no place in Wisconsin,” affirmed Sen. Tammy Baldwin in a tweet. Rep. Lisa Subeck, a Madison Democrat and Jew, called the neo-Nazi group’s presence “alarming.”

University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin denounced the group in a statement, terming their presence as “utterly repugnant.”

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, highlighted the fear gripping various communities, including Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs. She urged people to reject misinformation about marginalized communities, and promote love and understanding instead.

Both Margulis and her husband, Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, previously encountered such a group at an LGBTQ+ Pride event.

Madison Police Department spokeswoman, Stephanie Fryer, said the police were alerted to the group’s presence and dispatched bike officers to assess the situation. Despite the Blood Tribe’s history of bearing arms at events, they appeared unarmed this time.