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Modern Antifa groups emerged in the 1970s in the Anglo-American sphere and took root in the British punk scene in opposition to the growth of racist skinheads.  The subculture crossed over to the [[United States]] and forms the basis of American Antifa.

Modern Antifa groups emerged in the 1970s in the Anglo-American sphere and took root in the British punk scene in opposition to the growth of racist skinheads.  The subculture crossed over to the [[United States]] and forms the basis of American Antifa.

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]].”

While leftist extremists claim to be fighting “fascism” while launching their attacks on other groups, the report states the term “fascism” has a double meaning under the extreme-left ideology, indicating the “fight against the capitalist system.” Antifascism is a strategy, not an ideology. They argue that the capitalist state produces fascism, or at least tolerates it. Therefore, anti-fascism is directed not only against actual or supposed right-wing extremists but also always against the state and its representatives, in particular members of the security authorities.<ref>https://www.verfassungsschutz.de/de/service/glossar/_lA#antifaschismus</ref>

While leftist extremists claim to be fighting “fascism” while launching their attacks on other groups, the report states the term “fascism” has a double meaning under the extreme-left ideology, indicating the “fight against the capitalist system.” Antifascism is a strategy, not an ideology. They argue that the capitalist state produces fascism, or at least tolerates it. Therefore, anti-fascism is directed not only against actual or supposed right-wing extremists but also always against the state and its representatives, in particular members of the security authorities.<ref>https://www.verfassungsschutz.de/de/service/glossar/_lA#antifaschismus</ref>