06-07-2020, 09:53 PM
(06-07-2020, 09:41 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: I don't support Antifa, but I don't think they're fascists either. Fascism has a very specific definition that I don't think Antifa matches in any way. They aren't a nationalist "organization" (I put it in quotes because Antifa isn't even an organization. They're just a categorization of left wing groups that believe roughly the same thing that the ends justifies the means in stopping fascism). In fact, a wide variety of them are anarchists. They aren't in favor of authoritarianism or racial/religious hierarchies. They target almost exclusively white supremacists and Neo Nazis such as Richard Spencer (who was infamously punched mid interview by an Antifa member) and the Unite the Right rally, which was teeming with Neo Nazis and white supremacists.
They are just violent extremists. Extremists who believe using violence to stop fascism and right wing authoritarianism (such as sicking the military and national guard on peaceful protesters) is justified. They don't subscribe to any ideology other than stopping fascists and white supremacists at all costs.
You could make the argument that they miss the mark, in that they identify too many people as white supremacists and Neo-Nazis. In fact, I'd agree with that argument.
But the idea that people who believe in dismantling white supremacy would intentionally try to de-legitimize protests against white supremacy by rioting and looting during those protests just doesn't pass the smell test.
And, thus far, the evidence that they have been active participants in the vandalism and rioting is scant at best. This reeks of Trump looking for a scapegoat and being more than happy to blame a group that identifies with the far left rather than the far right.
I don't doubt that there are some Antifa among the protesters just like I don't doubt there are some right wing agitators among the crowd as well, but I think the majority of the vandalism and looting is simply opportunists and criminals.
As Time reported:
https://time.com/5849592/antifa-far-right-violent-trump-protesters/
In addition, the protests have calmed WAY down this past weekend and I think they will continue to trend that way over time. The rioting and looting was reported widely because it was much more interesting than peaceful protests but it seems, by almost all accounts, it was in the minority in terms of action going on over the past 13 days.
Don't let the looting cloud your judgement. These peaceful protests are doing great things and should be lauded.
Hey CJD, love yah man. But George Soros is a real man who is a fascist and pays these people.
This is not conspiracy, it is fact.
Violence on either side is wrong but Antifa attacks black people and liberals the same as white people.
These people hate America and want chaos. They are cowards and I see them in different cities doing the same thing.
They have pipes, knives and are being trained. It is organized.
Peaceful protests should be lauded but these are anything but peaceful. Sorry.
