WATERTOWN, S.D.(Press Release)- Local Representative Fred Deutsch of Florence, SD, recently prime sponsored an approved and signed into law bill, House Bill 1076, which is a South Dakota law that requires the South Dakota Division of Human Rights to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when investigating claims of unfair or discriminatory practices.
That bill sparked a protest from an Ohio-based group called “Blood Tribe” that marched to the step of the Capitol building in Pierre, SD, on Saturday, dressed in pro-Nazi group apparel, including swastikas on a flag.
The group also stated on social media (X) that it was done on the 57th anniversary of the USS Liberty 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. – (Kelo News)
KXLG News reached out to Representative Deutsch.
Deutsch is also the son of a Holocaust survivor.
The law aims to ensure that the Division of Human Rights considers antisemitism as defined by the IHRA when investigating potential discrimination cases. The IHRA definition includes both traditional forms of antisemitism (hatred towards Jews) and modern expressions, such as the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
Kelo News has reported the group’s proclaimed leader, Chris Pohlhaus, responded to Gov. Noem’s tweet that the group was “escorted away” and said, “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 organization calls itself “Blood Tribe,” which the Anti-Defamation League describes as “a growing neo-Nazi group that claims to have chapters across the United States and Canada.” –(Kelo News)