Christopher Pohlhaus, a notorious neo-Nazi leader and founder of the fascist group “Blood Tribe,” recently faced a significant setback in his attempt to establish a training ground in Springfield, Maine. Pohlhaus had purchased a 10.6-acre property with the intention of using it for extremist activities, including physical fitness drills and weapons training, in preparation for what he termed a “violent race war.” However, his plans did not go unnoticed by the local community, leading to a swift and resolute response.
The news of Pohlhaus’s property acquisition and his sinister intentions quickly spread throughout Springfield, Maine. Local residents, as well as government officials, expressed their concerns. Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen questioned the potential presence of illegal firearms and out-of-state individuals with warrants at the camp, issues often associated with extremist camps. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Senator Joe Baldacci also voiced their apprehensions about Pohlhaus’s activities, emphasizing that paramilitary training and advocating violence are against the law and disturbing.
In addition to the community’s strong stance against Pohlhaus, a local Planet Fitness gym took action by banning him due to “multiple member complaints” about his visible tattoos, including a prominent swastika. Pohlhaus, feeling increasingly unwelcome, ultimately sold the property, citing concerns about the unwanted attention and security risks posed by “militant leftists” who had doxed the location.
Christopher Pohlhaus’s failed attempt to establish a training ground in Maine serves as a testament to the power of community resistance against hate and extremism. While his history of organizing protests filled with hate speech and Nazi symbols remains concerning, this recent episode demonstrates that communities can unite to prevent the spread of such dangerous ideologies on their doorstep.