'Blood Tribe' leader claims responsibility for neo-Nazi rallies in Pierre, Deadwood

State Auditor Rich Sattgast confronts group in Black Hills

A group of self proclaimed neo-Nazis march in the Black Hills city of Deadwood. (Submitted)

The man behind a couple of protests in central and western South Dakota Saturday is a self proclaimed neo-Nazi, and says his group’s efforts are largely related to anti-semitism legislation passed this year in Pierre.

Christopher Pohlhaus, the leader of the white supremacist “Blood Tribe” group, posted to social media following events in the state capital and Deadwood that he was present and at the Pierre rally he helped organize.

Pohlhaus, a former Marine and tattoo artist from Texas, began growing his following in 2020 by selling white supremacist merchandise and podcasts online.

In giving his account of events, Pohlhaus posted anti-semitic language about House Bill 1076, a bill passed by the state Legislature in 2024 and championed by Gov. Kristi Noem which will define anti-semitism in state law and is intended to prevent that type of workplace discrimination in South Dakota. He also took aim at state officials who disavowed the protests.

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