Hatred is still in our backyard

Two Neo-Nazi groups marched in Altamonte Springs and outside the entrance to Disney Springs shopping center on Saturday, Sept. 2. Dressed in red shirts, black pants and black masks, 51 members of the Goyim Defense League and the Blood Tribe, who called the antisemitic demonstration "March of the Redshirts," walked from Sanlando Park to Cranes Roost Park, about a mile and a half away chanting "White power," "Jews will not replace us," and "We are everywhere."

Blood Tribe, founded by former U.S. Marine Christopher Polhaus in 2021, regards Hitler as a deity and does not allow female members. It has staged anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrations.

Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani videoed the marchers saying the display was "absolutely disgusting stuff and another example of the far-right extremism growing in [Florida]."

Altamonte Springs Mayor Pat Bates stated, "racism and hatred do not belong in any community. Good people with good hearts don't have to conceal their identities. Altamonte Springs is strong, vibrant, and diverse, and hate-filled language won't change that. Their hate speech may be protected but it is absolutely revolting."

At Disney Springs, about 15 people from the Order of the Black Sun, the Aryan Freedom Network, and 14 First held an antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ demonstration.

Former Florida Republican candidate for Congress, Laura Loomer, who is Jewish, was harassed by the group while she recorded them on her phone. Since the videos were uploaded to X, they have been viewed more than 2 million times combined.

Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism, told Newsweek, "Members of the GDL are dangerous criminals with records of assault, pedophilia, arson, and domestic abuse.

"The collaboration between the white supremacist groups GDL and Blood Tribe is not surprising: birds of a feather flock together. The joint event created a larger-than-normal crowd meant to be an intimidation tactic.

"These neo-Nazis are cowards who cover their faces while making the 'Heil Hitler' salute and StopAntisemitism calls on Governor DeSantis to condemn the gathering so that these hate-mongers know that they are not welcome."

"This type of hateful activity has no place in our community," said ADL's Florida regional director, Sarah Emmons. "We cannot allow for hate and extremist beliefs to become normalized in our society."

"We know these groups demonstrate in high profile areas in order to agitate and incite people with antisemitic symbols and slurs," the Orange County Sheriff's office said. "The Orange County Sheriff's Office deplores hate speech in any form, but people have the First Amendment right to demonstrate. What these groups do is revolting and condemned in the strongest way by Sheriff [John] Mina and the Sheriff's Office. They are looking for attention, and specifically media."

Information was gathered from the NY Post, Newsweek, NBCNews, BusinessInsider, revolt.tv, and msn.com.