Changes

The '''"Antifa"''' (short for "Anti-fascist action"), also known as the '''ARA''' (short for "Anti-Racist Action") is a mob of far-leftists that seek to cause mayhem in the streets of America and Europe. Despite its name, the Antifa movement is an [[Liberal intolerance|intolerant]] hate group that uses [[fascism|fascist]] tactics and direct quotations from [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNMAp8kXWrc</ref><ref>Knighton, Tom (July 10, 2017). [https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/07/10/anti-fascists-applaud-speech-made-completely-of-hitler-quotes/ 'Anti-Fascists' Applaud Speech Made Completely of Hitler Quotes]. ''PJ Media''. Retrieved August 21, 2017.</ref> They are also anti-American in outlook, as when descending on an otherwise peaceful protest on Berkeley Campus in 2017, one chant demanded "No U.S.A. at all!"<ref name="Washington Examiner" />

The '''"Antifa"''' (short for "Anti-fascist action"), also known as the '''ARA''' (short for "Anti-Racist Action") is a mob of far-leftists that seek to cause mayhem in the streets of America and Europe. Despite its name, the Antifa movement is an [[Liberal intolerance|intolerant]] hate group that uses [[fascism|fascist]] tactics and direct quotations from [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNMAp8kXWrc</ref><ref>Knighton, Tom (July 10, 2017). [https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/07/10/anti-fascists-applaud-speech-made-completely-of-hitler-quotes/ 'Anti-Fascists' Applaud Speech Made Completely of Hitler Quotes]. ''PJ Media''. Retrieved August 21, 2017.</ref> They are also anti-American in outlook, as when descending on an otherwise peaceful protest on Berkeley Campus in 2017, one chant demanded "No U.S.A. at all!"<ref name="Washington Examiner" />

Although Antifa itself existed as early as 2017, the concept of anti-fascism, especially as a far-left ideology, existed as early as World War II for propaganda purposes, where Stalin referred to the USSR as "anti-fascist", with the obvious implication that the USSR and Stalin were "morally better" than the Nazis and Hitler, using the misapplication of Nazism and fascism as being of the far right instead of being of the far left.<ref name="Washington Examiner">http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-you-should-never-use-the-term-anti-fascist/article/2632847</ref>

Although Antifa itself existed as early as 2017, the concept of anti-fascism, especially as a far-left ideology, existed as early as World War II for propaganda purposes, where Stalin referred to the USSR as "anti-fascist", with the obvious implication that the USSR and Stalin were "morally better" than the Nazis and Hitler, using the misapplication of Nazism and fascism as being of the far right instead of being of the far left.<ref name="Washington Examiner">https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-you-should-never-use-the-term-anti-fascist/article/2632847</ref>

In the [[United States]], Antifa is an effort the counter the rollback of [[socialist]] "progress" during the [[Obama administration]]. Socialists consider all forms of [[capitalism]] as "fascist," and the repeal of the [[Obamacare]] [[individual mandate]] was a devastating blow to "socialist progress."  

In the [[United States]], Antifa is an effort the counter the rollback of [[socialist]] "progress" during the [[Obama administration]]. Socialists consider all forms of [[capitalism]] as "fascist," and the repeal of the [[Obamacare]] [[individual mandate]] was a devastating blow to "socialist progress."  

==Support from "mainstream" liberals==

==Support from "mainstream" liberals==

Many in the leftist [[mainstream media]] applaud the Antifa's stance as they align with their #Resist agenda,<ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/anti-fascist-activists-are-fighting-the-alt-right-in-the-streets/ Anti-Fascists Will Fight Trump’s Fascism in the Streets, TheNation.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/video-richard-spencer-punch-antifa-fascism The Long History of "Nazi Punching" MotherJones.com]</ref> and they have not taken a strong and clear stance against Antifa violence.<ref>Greenwood, Max (August 31, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348777-right-accuses-left-of-hypocrisy-on-antifa Right accuses left of hypocrisy on antifa]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> [[Facebook]] permits them to have a page to rally support. Political figures in the U.S. Democrat Party and liberal European parties refuse to condemn their actions. There has been no condemnation of this group or its actions from California Governor [[Jerry Brown]]. Berkeley, California mayor Jesse Arreguín (who has ties to far-Left anarchist group By Any Means Necessary<ref name="Berkeley Riots">[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/25/uc-berkeley-riots-violence-looms-as-mayor-questioned-over-ties-to-extremist-group.html UC Berkeley riots: Violence looms as mayor questioned over ties to extremist group]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref>) has illegally ordered the city's police department to stand down while Antifa violence unfolds, which has caused a rift between the Berkeley Police and Arreguín.<ref name="Berkeley Riots"/> Likewise, Michael Signer, the Democrat mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, illegally ordered a stand-down for the city's police department to allow Antifa to engage in a violent riot with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in what is widely suspected to be a Democrat-staged false flag operation.<ref>[http://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2017/08/18/accountability/news-media/charlottesville-real-battle/ Charlottesville: The Real Battle]</ref><ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2017/08/is-mcauliffe-to-blame-for-charlottesville-bloody-violence/ Is McAuliffe to blame for Charlottesville bloody violence?] at WorldNetDaily</ref> While Antifa tries to proclaim they fight against who they claim are "fascists" (erroneously lumping in the [[Alt-right]] and conservatives with legitimate fascists like Nazis and white supremacists), Antifa is, in fact, fascist and Nazi-like themselves in every aspect, being the very thing they claim to fight against. A quote, falsely attributed to [[Winston Churchill]], is still correct in summing up this group of thugs, "When fascism comes to America it will be called anti-fascism."<ref>http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/9-quotes-from-winston-churchill-that-are-totally-fake-1790585636</ref> [[File:19685774_1492357004.9813.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Widely viewed picture showing Antifa supporter nicknamed "Moldylocks" getting punched in the face.]]

Many in the leftist [[mainstream media]] applaud the Antifa's stance as they align with their #Resist agenda,<ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/anti-fascist-activists-are-fighting-the-alt-right-in-the-streets/ Anti-Fascists Will Fight Trump’s Fascism in the Streets, TheNation.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/video-richard-spencer-punch-antifa-fascism The Long History of "Nazi Punching" MotherJones.com]</ref> and they have not taken a strong and clear stance against Antifa violence.<ref>Greenwood, Max (August 31, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348777-right-accuses-left-of-hypocrisy-on-antifa Right accuses left of hypocrisy on antifa]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> [[Facebook]] permits them to have a page to rally support. Political figures in the U.S. Democrat Party and liberal European parties refuse to condemn their actions. There has been no condemnation of this group or its actions from California Governor [[Jerry Brown]]. Berkeley, California mayor Jesse Arreguín (who has ties to far-Left anarchist group By Any Means Necessary<ref name="Berkeley Riots">[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/25/uc-berkeley-riots-violence-looms-as-mayor-questioned-over-ties-to-extremist-group.html UC Berkeley riots: Violence looms as mayor questioned over ties to extremist group]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref>) has illegally ordered the city's police department to stand down while Antifa violence unfolds, which has caused a rift between the Berkeley Police and Arreguín.<ref name="Berkeley Riots"/> Likewise, Michael Signer, the Democrat mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, illegally ordered a stand-down for the city's police department to allow Antifa to engage in a violent riot with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in what is widely suspected to be a Democrat-staged false flag operation.<ref>[https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2017/08/18/accountability/news-media/charlottesville-real-battle/ Charlottesville: The Real Battle]</ref><ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2017/08/is-mcauliffe-to-blame-for-charlottesville-bloody-violence/ Is McAuliffe to blame for Charlottesville bloody violence?] at WorldNetDaily</ref> While Antifa tries to proclaim they fight against who they claim are "fascists" (erroneously lumping in the [[Alt-right]] and conservatives with legitimate fascists like Nazis and white supremacists), Antifa is, in fact, fascist and Nazi-like themselves in every aspect, being the very thing they claim to fight against. A quote, falsely attributed to [[Winston Churchill]], is still correct in summing up this group of thugs, "When fascism comes to America it will be called anti-fascism."<ref>http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/9-quotes-from-winston-churchill-that-are-totally-fake-1790585636</ref> [[File:19685774_1492357004.9813.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Widely viewed picture showing Antifa supporter nicknamed "Moldylocks" getting punched in the face.]]

{{cquote| Antifascist Action focuses on promotional, informative and practical ways of struggle against all authoritarian ideologies and groups promoting any kind of oppression, particularly against Neo-Nazism and right wing radicals.}}

{{cquote| Antifascist Action focuses on promotional, informative and practical ways of struggle against all authoritarian ideologies and groups promoting any kind of oppression, particularly against Neo-Nazism and right wing radicals.}}

On August 28, 2017, [[Tucker Carlson]] pointed out on his show that the Antifa is effectively the militant wing of the [[Democrat Party]].<ref>[https://www.redstate.com/terichristoph/2017/08/29/tucker-right-antifa-militant-wing-democrat-party/ Tucker Is Right: ‘Antifa’ IS The Militant Wing Of The Democrat Party] ''RedState''. August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.</ref>

On August 28, 2017, [[Tucker Carlson]] pointed out on his show that the Antifa is effectively the militant wing of the [[Democrat Party]].<ref>[https://www.redstate.com/terichristoph/2017/08/29/tucker-right-antifa-militant-wing-democrat-party/ Tucker Is Right: ‘Antifa’ IS The Militant Wing Of The Democrat Party] ''RedState''. August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.</ref>

[[Wikipedia]] editors have downplayed Antifa's violence and far-left-wing ideology and portrayed it favorably.<ref>Adler, T.D. (August 31, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/08/31/editors-on-wikipedia-seek-to-downplay-violence-and-ideology-of-antifa-movement/ Wikipedia Editors Seek to Downplay Antifa Violence And Far-Left Ideology]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], which has labeled numerous mainstream conservative organizations as "hate groups" but is itself a hate group in its own right, has refused to label Antifa a hate group.<ref>Nelson, Steve (September 3, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/southern-poverty-law-center-condemns-antifa-but-wont-call-hate-group/article/2633252 Southern Poverty Law Center condemns antifa, but won't call hate group]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref>

[[Wikipedia]] editors have downplayed Antifa's violence and far-left-wing ideology and portrayed it favorably.<ref>Adler, T.D. (August 31, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/08/31/editors-on-wikipedia-seek-to-downplay-violence-and-ideology-of-antifa-movement/ Wikipedia Editors Seek to Downplay Antifa Violence And Far-Left Ideology]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 31, 2017.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], which has labeled numerous mainstream conservative organizations as "hate groups" but is itself a hate group in its own right, has refused to label Antifa a hate group.<ref>Nelson, Steve (September 3, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/southern-poverty-law-center-condemns-antifa-but-wont-call-hate-group/article/2633252 Southern Poverty Law Center condemns antifa, but won't call hate group]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref>

In October 2018, [[Portland]] mayor Ted Wheeler mayor defended his own decision to let Antifa block traffic and harass drivers and to block the police from intervening.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (October 14, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/14/ted-wheeler-portland-mayor-stands-decision-allow-a/ Portland mayor stands by decision to allow Antifa to block traffic, hassle motorists]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2018.</ref><ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (October 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/30334-portland-mayor-lets-the-goons-rule-as-anti-trump-violence-escalates Portland Mayor Lets the Goons Rule as Anti-Trump Violence Escalates]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 15, 2018.</ref>

In October 2018, [[Portland]] mayor Ted Wheeler mayor defended his own decision to let Antifa block traffic and harass drivers and to block the police from intervening.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (October 14, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/14/ted-wheeler-portland-mayor-stands-decision-allow-a/ Portland mayor stands by decision to allow Antifa to block traffic, hassle motorists]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2018.</ref><ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (October 15, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/30334-portland-mayor-lets-the-goons-rule-as-anti-trump-violence-escalates Portland Mayor Lets the Goons Rule as Anti-Trump Violence Escalates]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 15, 2018.</ref>

*Suarez Sang, Lucia I. (September 3, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/03/fbi-dhs-warned-increasingly-violent-antifa-clashes-in-2016-documents-show.html FBI, DHS warned of increasingly violent Antifa clashes in 2016, documents show]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.

*Suarez Sang, Lucia I. (September 3, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/03/fbi-dhs-warned-increasingly-violent-antifa-clashes-in-2016-documents-show.html FBI, DHS warned of increasingly violent Antifa clashes in 2016, documents show]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.

*Meyer, Josh (September 1, 2017). [https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/01/antifa-charlottesville-violence-fbi-242235 FBI, Homeland Security warn of more ‘antifa’ attacks]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 1, 2017.

*Meyer, Josh (September 1, 2017). [https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/01/antifa-charlottesville-violence-fbi-242235 FBI, Homeland Security warn of more ‘antifa’ attacks]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 1, 2017.

*[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4844296/Homeland-Security-deem-antifa-domestic-terrorists.html FBI and Homeland Security deem antifa 'domestic terrorists' as they warn of escalating violence between the left and white nationalists]. ''Daily Mail''. Retrieved September 1, 2017.</ref> The [[New Jersey]] State Office of Homeland Security has designated Antifa a domestic terrorist group.<ref>[https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=antifa Anarchist Extremists: Antifa, Dept of Homeland Security, June 12th, 2017]</ref>

*[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4844296/Homeland-Security-deem-antifa-domestic-terrorists.html FBI and Homeland Security deem antifa 'domestic terrorists' as they warn of escalating violence between the left and white nationalists]. ''Daily Mail''. Retrieved September 1, 2017.</ref> The [[New Jersey]] State Office of Homeland Security has designated Antifa a domestic terrorist group.<ref>[https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=antifa Anarchist Extremists: Antifa, Dept of Homeland Security, June 12th, 2017]</ref>

In a major August 2018 protest in Washington, D.C., Antifa members threatened and physically attacked the police,<ref>Multiple references:

In a major August 2018 protest in Washington, D.C., Antifa members threatened and physically attacked the police,<ref>Multiple references:

The organization can be traced to the “[[united front]]” of the [[Soviet Union]]’s Communist International ([[Comintern]]) during the Third World Congress in [[Moscow]] in June and July 1921. The idea of the united front strategy was to bring together left-wing organizations in order to incite [[communist]] [[revolution]]. The Soviets believed that following [[Russia]]’s revolution in 1917, communism would next spread to [[Germany]], since Germany had the second-largest communist party, the KPD (Communist Party of Germany).

The organization can be traced to the “[[united front]]” of the [[Soviet Union]]’s Communist International ([[Comintern]]) during the Third World Congress in [[Moscow]] in June and July 1921. The idea of the united front strategy was to bring together left-wing organizations in order to incite [[communist]] [[revolution]]. The Soviets believed that following [[Russia]]’s revolution in 1917, communism would next spread to [[Germany]], since Germany had the second-largest communist party, the KPD (Communist Party of Germany).

It was at the Fourth World Congress of the Comintern in 1922 that the plan took shape. Moscow formed the slogan “To the Masses” for its united front strategy and sought to join together the various communist and workers’ parties of Germany under a single ideological banner that it controlled. Both the communist and fascist systems were based on [[collectivism]] and [[economic planning|state-planned economies]]. Both also proposed systems wherein the individual was heavily controlled by a powerful state, and both were responsible for large-scale atrocities and [[genocide]]. In addition, the term "anti-fascism" was originally used by Stalin and the USSR prior to and during World War II as part of propaganda purposes to make the USSR seem mainstream by comparison to Nazi Germany.<ref>http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-you-should-never-use-the-term-anti-fascist/article/2632847</ref><ref>Davies, Norman: ''No Simple Victory''<br />"Anti-Fascism" did not offer a coherent political ideology. In terms of ideas, it was an empty vessel, a mere political dance....It gave the false impression that principled democrats believing in the rule of law and freedom of speech could rub along fine with the dictators of the proletariat, or that democratic socialists had only minor differences with Communism. What is more, it opened up a wonderful arena for the activities of disciplined activists, whose training in the Leninist techniques of splitting and dividing adversaries would run rings round wooly intellectuals....If you were a French trade unionist, tired of the wrangles of the Left, or a British Empire loyalist baffled by the complexities of modern politics or a Christian peace worker hoping to avoid another war, anti-Fascism was for you! Only in the background was the unspoken dialect that, if Fascism was to be Bad, the Good had to lie with the originator of anti-Fascism -- Joseph Stalin's USSR. </ref>

It was at the Fourth World Congress of the Comintern in 1922 that the plan took shape. Moscow formed the slogan “To the Masses” for its united front strategy and sought to join together the various communist and workers’ parties of Germany under a single ideological banner that it controlled. Both the communist and fascist systems were based on [[collectivism]] and [[economic planning|state-planned economies]]. Both also proposed systems wherein the individual was heavily controlled by a powerful state, and both were responsible for large-scale atrocities and [[genocide]]. In addition, the term "anti-fascism" was originally used by Stalin and the USSR prior to and during World War II as part of propaganda purposes to make the USSR seem mainstream by comparison to Nazi Germany.<ref>https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-you-should-never-use-the-term-anti-fascist/article/2632847</ref><ref>Davies, Norman: ''No Simple Victory''<br />"Anti-Fascism" did not offer a coherent political ideology. In terms of ideas, it was an empty vessel, a mere political dance....It gave the false impression that principled democrats believing in the rule of law and freedom of speech could rub along fine with the dictators of the proletariat, or that democratic socialists had only minor differences with Communism. What is more, it opened up a wonderful arena for the activities of disciplined activists, whose training in the Leninist techniques of splitting and dividing adversaries would run rings round wooly intellectuals....If you were a French trade unionist, tired of the wrangles of the Left, or a British Empire loyalist baffled by the complexities of modern politics or a Christian peace worker hoping to avoid another war, anti-Fascism was for you! Only in the background was the unspoken dialect that, if Fascism was to be Bad, the Good had to lie with the originator of anti-Fascism -- Joseph Stalin's USSR. </ref>

The 2016 annual report by Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), notes the same point: From the viewpoint of the “left-wing extremist,” the label of “fascism” as pushed by Antifa often does not refer to actual fascism, but is merely a label assigned to “[[capitalism]].”

The 2016 annual report by Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), notes the same point: From the viewpoint of the “left-wing extremist,” the label of “fascism” as pushed by Antifa often does not refer to actual fascism, but is merely a label assigned to “[[capitalism]].”

* [http://antifaunited.bigcartel.com/ American website not yet live]

* [http://antifaunited.bigcartel.com/ American website not yet live]

* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/ANTIFA.CZ/about/?ref=page_internal Facebook page]

* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/ANTIFA.CZ/about/?ref=page_internal Facebook page]

* [http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/the-shadowy-extremist-group-behind-the-anti-trump-riots/ The Shadowy Extremist Group Behind the Anti-Trump Riots]

* [https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/the-shadowy-extremist-group-behind-the-anti-trump-riots/ The Shadowy Extremist Group Behind the Anti-Trump Riots]

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ue4lSgyHs Video of Antifa harassing a man (Jason Kessler) and others while generally trying to hide their faces from the camera]  

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ue4lSgyHs Video of Antifa harassing a man (Jason Kessler) and others while generally trying to hide their faces from the camera]