DAYTON, Ohio — In a notable legal move, the city of Springfield, along with its Mayor Rob Rue and several other residents, has initiated a lawsuit against a neo-Nazi group known as the Blood Tribe. The case was filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Dayton, stemming from incidents of intimidation and harassment that the city faced last year due to an influx of Haitian immigrants.
The lawsuit specifically names Christopher Pohlhaus and Drake Berentz, along with seven unidentified associates, accusing them of inciting a campaign aimed at spreading racial and ethnic hatred. This campaign was reportedly directed at individuals and organizations in Springfield who expressed support for the city’s Haitian community amidst the backlash and attacks launched by the defendants.
With guidance from the Anti-Defamation League, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial with the aim of preventing the defendants from further threatening behavior and pursuing damages for the harm caused. Notably, the court records do not indicate legal representation for the Blood Tribe, as attempts to reach Pohlhaus and Berentz via their phone numbers have gone unanswered.
Springfield, a city located just west of Columbus with a population of approximately 60,000, has seen its Haitian community swell to around 10,000 residents in recent years. This growth, fueled by individuals fleeing violence in Haiti in search of safer living conditions and job opportunities, has led to increased tension with locals. Public services such as schools, roads, and hospitals have faced challenges due to the demographic changes, particularly following a tragic incident in 2023 where a child was killed in an accident involving a Haitian immigrant.
The situation gained national attention during a 2020 presidential debate when then-candidate Donald Trump made unfounded assertions about the Haitian community in Springfield, claiming they were involved in bizarre criminal activities. This incident appeared to embolden the Blood Tribe, as they allegedly orchestrated a plan to intimidate the city, labeling the influx of Haitians as an “invasion” that threatened the safety of “good White residents.”
Further details in the lawsuit describe how, in August, members of the Blood Tribe attended the city’s jazz and blues festival armed and dressed in coordinated uniforms, making provocative statements at City Hall while engaging in hate-filled chants and gestures. The complaint outlines various forms of harassment perpetrated by the group, including bomb threats, death threats, and harassing messages sent through various channels, including dating apps, aimed at discrediting the residents supporting the Haitian community.
While the lawsuit does not directly cite Trump’s inflammatory remarks, it mentions that Pohlhaus took pride in the wider attention gained from those damaging claims following the debate. In response to the surrounding unrest, a national advocacy organization for Haitians sought to pursue legal action against Trump and his then-running mate, Vice President JD Vance, claiming they contributed to the turmoil and fear felt in Springfield. However, local judges recently chose to forward the issue to the county prosecutor instead of issuing direct charges, leading to an ongoing appeal by the Haitian Bridge Alliance in the Ohio Supreme Court to challenge the judges’ authority in this matter.
