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Neo-Nazis & “Goyim Defense League’ Hold Rally in Florida as Anti-Semitism Rises
Edited by: Fern Sidman
A disturbing rally by white supremacist groups in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend has ignited outrage and raised concerns about the rise of hate-filled ideologies in the Sunshine State, as was reported by NewsOne.com. The rally, led by groups known as the Blood Tribe and the Goyim Defense League, witnessed self-proclaimed Nazis openly promoting racist and anti-Semitic views, targeting Jews, non-white individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has identified the Blood Tribe as proponents of hardline white supremacist beliefs, with a specific focus on promoting hatred against Jews, non-white communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Similarly, NewsOne.con reported that the Goyim Defense League is described as a loose network of individuals known for their virulent anti-Semitism, peddling anti-Semitic canards and conspiracy theories in an attempt to fuel hatred against the Jewish people.
🚨🚨🚨MUST WATCH🚨🚨🚨🚨
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
I have exclusively obtained Video evidence and police body camera footage of a police officer in Escambia County, FL by the name of Deputy K. Haley, badge number 614272 interacting with CIA/FBI Nazi Asset and Azov Battalion fighter… https://t.co/LcPsWQ3L8Y pic.twitter.com/6uwzK6JyPz
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 4, 2023
During the rally, approximately 15 participants, self-identifying as Nazis, unleashed a barrage of racist and anti-gay slurs at passing vehicles while repeatedly chanting “white power” to anyone within earshot. Shocking video footage from the event captured a confrontational encounter between the white supremacists and a Black man driving by in his truck, the NewsOne report indicated. In the video, the Nazis directed racial slurs at the man, who responded by questioning their decision to wear masks.
Loomer: FBI Questioned J6ers About #Ukrainian Spy inside the Capitol and Even Newsweek Is Asking Questions @JDRucker https://t.co/JksPNtQkUb
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 6, 2023
As was reported in the New York Post, other videos of the rally that are circulating on social media depict the Neo-Nazi groups marching while brandishing swastika flags and shouting slogans like “Heil Hitler” and “We are everywhere.” The disturbing scenes have prompted outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
The rally, referred to as the “Red Shirts March,” occurred just one week after a racially motivated attack in Jacksonville, Florida, where 21-year-old Ryan Palmeter killed three black individuals at a Dollar General store in a predominantly black neighborhood. Palmeter was armed with guns adorned with swastikas, and he left behind several manifestos detailing his hatred for black people, according to a report in the New York Post.
In response to the rise in racially motivated incidents and far-right extremism, the NAACP has issued an official travel advisory for Florida, particularly directed at people of color, urging caution when visiting the state.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not issued a statement condemning the hate-fueled rally as of yet, leading activists to express their disappointment and denounce leaders who have not publicly condemned the event, as was indicated in the NewsOne.com report. The lack of a clear and unequivocal denouncement has left many concerned about the normalization of hate and extremist ideologies in society.
The ADL’s Florida chapter has been at the forefront of condemning the extremist demonstrations, emphasizing the need for public officials to take a stand against such hateful activities. The report said that they have called on leaders to unequivocally denounce the rally and its disturbing message.
Former Congressional candidate, investigative journalist and activist Laura Loomer also uploaded a video of the rally, alleging that the hate filled gathering was the brainchild of the Goyim Defense League. Loomer claimed that she faced anti-Semitic slurs from the participants during the event.
These Neo-Nazis – who were first identified as ‘far-right’ extremists – shouted antisemitic slurs @LauraLoomer – engaged in conversation about how they hate the right – and one of their leaders expressed support for Joe Biden and by extension – Ukraine and Azov.
They don’t… pic.twitter.com/kK0UqqNqYL
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 5, 2023
The presence of notable white supremacist Jon Minadeo and Christopher Pohlhaus, the leader of the Neo-Nazi Blood Tribe group, was documented in the videos, according to the report in the New York Post. Pohlhaus was seen expressing his intention to vote for President Biden in 2024 due to Biden’s support for Ukraine, where the far-right all-volunteer military group Azov Battalion is engaged in conflict. Another group at the rally voiced support for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Post report added.
They said they love @JoeBiden.
They aren’t “far right”. These are National Socialists (leftists). pic.twitter.com/9VKDsb5SoG— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 3, 2023
Prior to the march through Orlando’s streets, members of the local Florida Neo-Nazi network, known as the Order of the Black Sun, were captured performing the Nazi salute and vandalizing pride flags outside Disney World, as was indicated in the Post report. This incident echoes a similar episode in June when hate groups congregated near the theme park, waving Nazi flags and banners during a campaign rally for DeSantis.
Given what I just exposed out of Florida this weekend, this really hits… doesn’t it? @GovRonDeSantis is awfully quiet about the Nazi CIA asset that was at the rally in Florida this week.
What does @GovRonDeSantis have to hide? As a member of Congress he was a major advocate… https://t.co/Sg6JKLwUdg pic.twitter.com/QwE0URdcKZ
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 5, 2023
Walt Disney World has increasingly become a target for hate groups, particularly since the company found itself embroiled in a political dispute with Governor DeSantis.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) had previously issued a statement on September 1, warning that these gatherings were likely to take place in September. They anticipated that the group would hold demonstrations in high-visibility locations, aiming to attract public and media attention.
Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani called the Neo Nazi march “absolutely disgusting” and pointed to it as an alarming example of such extremism on the rise, as was reported by The Mirror of the United Kingdom. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, expressed his determination to counteract such extremism, emphasizing the need to stand united against the perennial plague of virulent anti-Semitism, anti-Blackness, and anti-LGBTQ bigotry, the report added.
On the same day as the neo-Nazi march, another far-right extremist group, the ‘Order of the Black Sun,’ which claimed affiliation with the ‘Aryan Freedom Network,’ was spotted flying flags at the gates of Disney World, the report on The Mirror web site said. These flags displayed support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
This was not the first time the ‘Order of the Black Sun’ had engaged in such stunts outside Disney World. The group had previously claimed to support DeSantis during a similar event in June, The Mirror reported. However, some have questioned the sincerity of these actions, suggesting they may be intended to discredit Republicans.
Ben Popp, an ADL researcher, shed light on the ‘Blood Tribe’ and the ‘Aryan Freedom Network.’ He described them as white supremacist networks, with the ‘Blood Tribe’ being a group of individuals who have been involved in other white supremacist organizations in Florida over the past few years.
For her part. Loomer expressed her disapproval of the vitriolic behavior of the ‘Blood Tribe’ and ‘Aryan Freedom Network’ and did not hesitate to get right up into their faces and tell them so. She did, however, defend their right to free speech while emphasizing the importance of free speech for everyone, even when it involves speech that one vehemently disagrees with, according to the report in The Mirror.
These groups often parade in military-style clothing, occasionally while heavily armed. Notably, ‘Blood Tribe’ was founded by former US Marine Christopher Polhaus, who has been linked to the January 6 riots at the US Capitol in 2021, the report added.
One individual, Kent “Boneface” McLellan, came under particular scrutiny, as was reported on the Gateway Pundit web site. According to reports, he had been arrested by the FBI for domestic terrorism in May 2012. At the time, the FBI had accused him and others of “preparing a terrorist act against national minorities in Florida.” However, the plot thickens when considering his subsequent actions.
🚨🚨🚨MUST WATCH🚨🚨🚨🚨
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
I have exclusively obtained Video evidence and police body camera footage of a police officer in Escambia County, FL by the name of Deputy K. Haley, badge number 614272 interacting with CIA/FBI Nazi Asset and Azov Battalion fighter… https://t.co/LcPsWQ3L8Y pic.twitter.com/6uwzK6JyPz
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 4, 2023
Gateway Pundit reported that McLellan fled to Ukraine, where he joined Right Sector, a group with alleged ties to the CIA. This affiliation occurred in 2014, during a period of turmoil in Ukraine. In 2022, he returned to the United States, reportedly having been deported from Ukraine. Most surprisingly, he has now resurfaced in Florida, actively involved in what is described as the local Nazi scene, the report added.
The question that naturally arises is: how does one return to the United States after being arrested for domestic terrorism and traveling to Ukraine to participate in a foreign conflict, all without facing legal consequences? Some speculate that such actions would be unlikely without the individual having some form of cooperation or affiliation with law enforcement or intelligence agencies, such as the FBI or CIA, as was reported by the Gateway Pundit.
Loomer has suggested that individuals like McLellan may have operated as informants or assets for intelligence agencies, allowing them to navigate such complex scenarios with apparent impunity, according to the Gateway Pundit report.
Another figure of interest is John Minadeo, identified as the leader of the Goyim Defense League (GDL). Loomer has indicated that Minadeo has connections to the Anti-Defamation League, as stated on the Gateway Pundit web site. The ADL’s “glossary of extremism” includes an entire page dedicated to Minadeo’s activities, framing them as an example of rising white supremacy.
Loomer also uncovered a video of Minadeo using the online video chat service Omegle to recruit minors to his “GDL” movement. In it, he attempts to convince an underage girl to get a swastika tattoo, lifting his shirt to show his, Gateway Pundit reported.
Another clip shows him speaking with a boy whom he calls “so cute” and “gorgeous.”
As Loomer puts it, “This is predatory behavior.”
Loomer raises questions regarding the financial backing of individuals like Minadeo, who appears to lead a lifestyle involving considerable travel and controversial performances, according to the Gateway Pundit report. She asks, “Who is paying this failed rapper to live a life as a Nazi?” Loomer’s queries extend to potential funding sources, even suggesting that the ADL could be involved, although absolutely no proof exists of this charge.
It is essential to approach such claims with a degree of skepticism and ensure thorough investigative procedures. Allegations of affiliations with intelligence agencies are significant and require substantial evidence.
The ADL reported in June of this year that eighteen white supremacists – from two different neo-Nazi groups – held three separate demonstrations in Florida. At least six participants traveled from out of state for the events, which took place outside Disney World in Orlando and at a park in Lakeland. These gatherings show how profoundly a small group of extremists can impact entire communities — and make residents feel that the hate is local.
At the gathering in Orlando, thirteen individuals associated with the Order of the Black Sun (OBS) demonstrated with swastika flags as well as racist and anti-LGBTQ+ signs, shouting slurs and giving Nazi salutes. The same group later repeated the same tactics from an area overpass. At the Disney protest, participants carried “DeSantis 2024” campaign signs, presumably to troll Florida’s governor, whom they oppose.
Meanwhile, five individuals associated the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM) held an anti-LGBTQ+ protest at Munn Park in Lakeland, Florida in June. The small group was led by Burt Colucci of Lakeland, who shouted obscenities and slurs through a megaphone, as was reported by the ADL.
The Order of the Black Sun was formed in 2023 after infighting split Florida’s sprawling white supremacist network, according to the ADL. Among the Florida-based OBS organizers who were present at the June event were Adam Donaldson, Jason Brown and David Wydner.
Donaldson, an anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist, was previously active with the Goyim Defense League (GDL), and participated in the network’s anti-Semitic “tour” of Texas in October 2021, the ADL reported. Brown and Wydner are former members of the National Socialist Movement; both attended NSM-organized rallies in Orlando in January and October 2022. In 2021, Brown was very active in the GDL, playing a significant role in the network’s anti-Semitic tours in both Florida and Texas. The ADL also reported that Brown, who is originally from New Jersey, is also associated with the New Jersey European Heritage Association.
At least two individuals who joined the OBS protest were from out of state, including former NSM member Ronald Murray of Cleveland, Texas, and GDL supporter Anthony Altick of St Louis, Missouri. The ADL reported that Altick also traveled to Florida in February 2023 to join the GDL’s anti-Semitic demonstrations in front of the Chabad of South Orlando and outside the International Speedway in Daytona Beach.
The incident in Florida, marked by disturbing behavior and associations, underscores the need for vigilance in addressing extremism and hate groups. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in understanding the backgrounds and motivations of those involved in such activities.
In a climate where extremist ideologies continue to pose a threat to societal harmony, thorough investigations and open dialogue remain crucial tools in combating hate and ensuring the safety and well-being of communities. The alleged ties to intelligence agencies, if substantiated, would undoubtedly add a complex layer to the ongoing efforts to understand and address these issues.