What is "Antifa"? Meet the Fascist-Fighting Coalition Dubbed the "Alt-Left" by Trump
NBC News
August 16, 2017
They relish in punching Nazis.
They protest in all black.
And they've vowed to physically confront racists and extremists across the country.
During a combative press conference (last week), President Donald Trump dubbed the anti-racist protest groups the "alt-left" and blamed both sides for the violent clashes that resulted in the death of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old peaceful demonstrator, and injured more than a dozen others.
Trump's remarks have received widespread condemnation on the left and the right, and his critics have accused the president of appeasing white nationalists and bigots.
But they've also brought renewed attention to the so-called anti-fascist protesters that have often violently clashed with white nationalists in the aftermath of President Trump's election.
WHAT IS "ANTIFA"?
Antifa is short for "anti-fascist."
It is a loosely organized coalition of protesters, left-wing activists, and self-described anarchists who vow to physically confront "fascists" - meaning anyone who espouses bigoted or totalitarian views.
Dana R. Fisher, a sociologist who has studied protest movements in the United States for decades, said she's come to view Antifa protesters as a militant response to the rise in visibility of the white nationalist organizations since Trump's election.
"Violence begets violence," she said.
"One of these groups is coming out with this violent message of hate, and the other has responded with a violent, reactive message."
Photos + links:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/who-antifa-meet-radical-neo-nazi-fighting-militia-n793241
