John Smaligo of American Defense “Skinheads” and his future at the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club was discussed at a board meeting this week.

By Joe Hawkins

PITTSBURGH, PA – On Wednesday evening, the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club held their monthly member meeting. The hot topic being Saturday’s neo-nazi show held at their recreation hall as well as how to address the club member who booked the event, American Defense “Skinheads” leader John Smaligo.

Prior to this meeting PMSC sent all members a formal letter about the recent events. The “special council” for the club also conducted an interview with the Pittsburgh local news channel WTAE. The club leadership appears to feel “duped” by the show being booked under false pretenses. The club is claming that the show was booked as a “wake” and not as a neo-nazi white power concert and fundraiser. The American Defense “Skinheads” were promoting this show as a “memorial” show to “honor” Ian Stuart Donaldson, the lead singer of the neo-Nazi band Skrewdriver who died September 23, 1993 – 29 years and one day from Saturday’s show – in a car crash in Derbyshire, England. 

The club leadership attempted to address questions over their inaction back in June stating that there wasn’t enough evidence to go on. North Versailles Police Chief James Matrazzo, who was also in attendance, said that when the allegations against John Smaligo were brought to light then he found no criminal record or active investigation. Leadership of PMSC said that they had consulted legal council and been advised that they could possibly face legal action if they terminated Smaligos membership based on his political views. PMSC has retained a new legal council since the June incident. 

Chief Matrazzo was one of 40 PMSC members to sign a petition asking the club to remove Smaligo from the registry. The club declined to vote on the removal at this meeting but that his membership and key card had been suspended/deactivated. It was stated they would vote on John’s removal at a closed meeting and ensure the removal was done “legally”. 

Numerous club members, board members and Leadership spoke out against neo-nazi activity at the club and statements calling for the removal of neo-nazis from the club were met with loud applause as well as the leadership of PMSC has promised action. The one notable exception to that sentiment however came from self proclaimed militia members from the Iron City Citizens Response unit. particularly founding member Matt Wakulik who also claims to be on the “command council” for that militia group. As this was a meeting for only PMSC members, this would suggest that members of the ICCRU including Wakulik are members. During anti-lockdown protests in April 2020 member of the ICCRU were seen wearing a symbol called the Valknot, an old Norse symbol regularly used these days by white nationalists, on their clothing. When asked about the Valknot at the time, an ICCRU member would not answer and instead became hostile.

A podcast associated with ADS suggested that future shows are being planned in the area.