Petition to designate ANTIFA a terrorist group exceeds signature requirements
A petition to designate ANTIFA as a domestic terrorist organization has gathered nearly three times number of signatures required to trigger an official response from the White House.
The petition, titled “Formally recognize AntiFa as a terrorist organization”, was created on August 17 through the White House’s online petitioning system, and has already gathered more than 280,000 signatures, far exceeding the 100,000 signatures required for an official response. The petition is now in a queue to be reviewed by the White House. Citizens may continue to sign the petition while it is being reviewed.
The text of the petition is both brief and definitive:
“Terrorism is defined as “the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims”. This definition is the same definition used to declare ISIS and other groups, as terrorist organizations. AntiFa has earned this title due to its violent actions in multiple cities and their influence in the killings of multiple police officers throughout the United States. It is time for the pentagon to be consistent in its actions – and just as they rightfully declared ISIS a terror group, they must declare AntiFa a terror group – on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety.”
What is fascism?
Fascism is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism, characterized by an opposition to democratic capitalism and the forceful suppression of any opposition.The first fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I, before spreading to other European countries.
Fascists believe that democracy is obsolete, and seek to create a totalitarian one-party state. Such a state is led by a strong leader, such as a dictator, and utilizes a martial government composed of the members of the governing fascist party, to enforce national compliance and obedience to the state. One notable example of a fascist state was Italy under Benito Mussolini, whose “black shirt” fascists seized power and plunged that nation into chaos during World War II.
How do fascists take power?
The Capital Research Center was established in 1984 to examine how foundations, charities, and other nonprofit groups use their donor’s money to influence politics and advocate for causes.
In February, 2017, the Center attempted to answer the question, “How do fascists take power?” The Center identified a pattern of behavior that fascist groups generally follow:
“First, they are angry with election results or how the country is being run.”
“Then fascists use militant tactics to force the population into supporting, or acquiescing in, their cause, even though most citizens don’t actually support the fascist agenda.”
Source: How Fascists Take Power, Feb 2, 2017, The Capital Research Center
The Capital Research Center also describe familiar tactics being used by fascists groups today, including ANTIFA, “Today, some persons who claim to oppose fascism have started using fascist techniques, such as blockading roads and other modes of transit into the city, perpetrating violence against those who disagree with them politically, and using fear to suppress those who have different political views.”
What is ANTIFA?
ANTIFA is a far-left militant political movement of autonomous groups operating within the United States. Although the groups describe themselves as “anti-fascist”, the group’s activities meet the very definition of fascism. As noted by the Capital Research Center, ANTIFA’s members are “angry with election results”, and are using “militant tactics to force the population into supporting, or acquiescing in, their cause.” ANTIFA’s is both anti-government and anti-capitalist, and its methodologies are closely aligned with those of anarchists.
“Today, some persons who claim to oppose fascism have started using fascist techniques, such as blockading roads and other modes of transit into the city, perpetrating violence against those who disagree with them politically, and using fear to suppress those who have different political views.” – Capital Research Center, “How Fascists Take Power”, Feb 2, 2017
ANTIFA protesters participated in the 2017 Berkeley protests, threatening opponents, throwing Molotov cocktails, and smashing windows, causing a number of injuries and thousands of dollars in property damage. Threats by the group prevented a number of conservative speakers from speaking at invited events.
ANTIFA is also blamed for the cancellation of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade after issuing threats of physical violence against the Multnomah County Republican Party who had planned to participate. Parade organizers received an email, saying, “You have seen how much power we have downtown and that the police cannot stop us from shutting down roads so please consider your decision wisely”. The email also threatened 200 people would “rush into the parade” and assault conservative parade participants. The parade was then canceled by the organizers due to safety concerns.
ANTIFA members also participated in the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, attacking the white nationalist marchers with clubs, dye bags, and rocks. Tragically, the day’s violence took the lives of three people.
According to Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at the California State University, San Bernardino, ANTIFA activists participate in violent actions because “they believe that elites are controlling the government and the media. So they need to make a statement head-on against the people who they regard as racist.”
The hypocrisy of the ANTIFA groups is not lost on most Americans. ANTIFA uses force and threats to intimidate their opposition, the very definition of fascist behavior, while claiming to be fighting against fascism.
The most recent clash between ANTIFA and law enforcement occurred following President Trump’s speech at the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday. At the conclusion of the event, several thousand peaceful protestors began to disburse. At that time, hundreds of ANTIFA members moved in, dressed in their traditional black masks, and began throwing rocks and glass bottles at police officers. The officers were forced to engage in riot-control tactics and deploy smoke to disburse the ANTIFA members.
Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution guarantees a representative form of government
America was founded by protest and revolution, and those ideals are deeply ingrained within the American psyche. However, those are not its only principals. America was also founded on fundamental principals of law, order, and representative government. Article 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. constitution guarantees to all citizens a representative form of government; a system in which the people may peacefully enact change through elected leaders, without resorting to violence and mob rule.
ANTIFA is fundamentally opposed to the concept of peaceful, representative change, and it refuses to accept the result of the recent presidential election. Instead, it is dedicated to using threats, intimidation, and violence to force others to their position, and overthrow America’s representative form of government.
Sign the petition
Citizens wishing to sign the petition designating ANTIFA a domestic terrorism group may do so on the White House’s online petition system at petitions.whitehouse.gov.
