Blood Tribe leader disputes governor’s version of protest

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The leader of a pro-Nazi group that staged protests at the South Dakota Capitol and in downtown Deadwood on Saturday has fired back at Governor Kristi Noem on social media, refuting that they were escorted off the Capitol grounds.

The governor at 6:18 p.m. on Saturday issued a statement on X and through her communications office that began, “An unscheduled march at the state capitol this afternoon ended without incident when a group of protesters were asked to leave by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.”

Ten minutes later, C.A. Pohlhaus writing on X as ‘The Hammer’ reposted Noem’s statement and commented, “You didn’t escort (expletive) you big silly (emoji) (emoji) we occupied your steps for the entire time we intended to be there, then slowly swaggered off to chant an entire lap around your house.”

The Governor’s Mansion is on the east side of Capitol Lake. The state Capitol building is on the west side. A tall, locked security fence was erected around the Governor’s Mansion a few years ago as further protection for anyone inside the house.

The state Bureau of Human Resources and Administration has authority under South Dakota law to require that anyone seeking to use the Capitol complex grounds in Pierre for an event must file a facility use request . The governor’s statement said the group didn’t make such a request.

KELOLAND News asked a spokesman for the state bureau on Monday morning whether the group would have received a permit had they applied. Information officer Jesse Merkel replied, “We are not going to answer a hypothetical question.”

KELOLAND News on Monday also requested a report from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety regarding the Highway Patrol’s response to the incident. Typically law-enforcement incident reports are not considered public records under South Dakota law. We also asked for answers to specific questions in the event that the report isn’t publicly released. We will let you know if and when that information becomes available.

At 6:31 p.m. on Saturday, Pohlhaus became more specific about the reason for the protest. He posted another statement on X: “HB 1076!? RABBIS SUCK ON BABY (anatomy)!!”

Then at 5:38 p.m. on Sunday, Pohlhaus made reference on X to the appearances in South Dakota on the previous day. It stated, “Protest of HB 1076 in South Dakota on 57th anniversary of Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty was a success Had to cover alot of ground in a single day to hit both the capital and Deadwood in time but it went perfectly to plan in perfect timing thanks to the boys. Video soon.”

As of Monday morning, however, that video hadn’t been posted. People driving past the Capitol during the Saturday afternoon protest took video and photos showing the group on the building’s front steps. All doors to the Capitol are locked to the public around the clock, except the south entrance at the building’s rear during visiting hours.

The reference to the USS Liberty was regarding a spy ship that was attacked by Israeli aircraft and gunships during the Six Day War, according to a formerly top secret report from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The attacks killed 34 of the ship’s crew members, wounded another 171, and heavily damaged the ship, according to a 1981 National Security Agency report .

The references to HB1076 were to a new law that takes effect July 1 providing additional protection for Jewish people. The South Dakota Legislature approved it during the 2024 session. The governor signed it on March 6. It says:

“In reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether an alleged violation of this chapter is antisemitic, the Division of Human Rights must consider the definition of antisemitism. For the purposes of this chapter, the term ‘antisemitism’ has the same meaning as the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, including the contemporary examples of antisemitism identified therein.”

That IHRA definition reads, “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” It goes on to give 11 examples.

The new South Dakota law also states, “Nothing in this section may be construed to diminish or infringe upon any protected right under U.S. Const., amend. I or S.D. Const., Art. VI, § 5, or to conflict with any federal, state, or local discrimination law.”

The legislation’s prime sponsor was Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch . He told KELOLAND News on Monday, “Their appearance at the Capitol was the most despicable display I have ever seen in Pierre. It is an example why HB1076 was necessary.”

The protesters appeared on the Capitol steps dressed in red shirts and black pants and wore black head coverings that obscured their faces. Images captured by the public showed them holding a large red flag bearing the black swastika symbol of the Nazi Party that ruled Germany during World War II and has since been outlawed.

Said Deutsch, “I imagine South Dakota heroes from the Greatest Generation who gave their lives to protect our families from the Nazis would be appalled. The constitution allows these people the right to march, but it should be illegal to wear outfits that strike terror toward certain groups and to mask your identity.”

Pohlhaus, who has 478 followers on X, described himself on the site as “Resurrected Archetype” and stated, “Trust no man who does not prioritize your posterity. My preferred pronouns are: Sir/Sire/m’Lord/your Grace/his Majesty/the Crown.” He is leader of an organization calling itself “Blood Tribe” that the Anti-Defamation League describes as “a growing neo-Nazi group that claims to have chapters across the United States and Canada.”

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