Hailed as Nazi-fighting heroes by some, or violent hooligans no better than the supremacists they oppose by others, whatever you think of antifa, the movement is rapidly on the rise.
Antifa, short for anti-fascist or Anti Fascist Action, has been around since the 1920s where it emerged as a response to the growing Nazism spreading across Europe.
Since then, they have existed mainly on the fringes, but have gathered in force over the years to oppose racist, violent fascist groups, from clashes with Nazis on the streets of Germany, Italy, and Spain in the 1930s, to taking on the skinheads of the 1980s.
Now as America’s extremist right wing groups become emboldened and more vocal under President Trump, the anti-fascist movement have had a huge boost in popularity as people join the ranks of the left wing group to oppose the alt-right.
Some have accused antifa of being as violent as the alt-right hooligans they oppose. Pictured; a member of antifa kicks a white nationalist in the face during clashes in Charlottesville
Members of Antifa cheer as white activists are evicted from Emancipation Park during the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, August 12
A white supremacist and member of antifa struggle over a white nationalist flag during clashes at Emancipation Park
White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the ‘alt-right’ clash with antifa (right) on Saturday
White nationalist demonstrators class with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville
The result is clashes on America’s streets, the likes of which have not been seen since the civil rights marches of the 1960s.
Once seen as rather extreme left wing faction, the antifa are generally anarchists who believe the best way to take on the alt-right is through direct action.
‘We are… in the fightin’ Nazis business,’ said Antifa member and The Nation journalist Natasha Lennard, in a piece titled ‘It’s time to make Nazis afraid again.
‘Antifa is a promise to neo-Nazis and their bedfellows that we will confront them in the streets; we will expose them online and inform their place of employ. We are not venues to deny space to far right events; we are vowing that all far-right events will be bombarded and besieged.’
Hailed as Nazi-fighting heroes by some, or violent hooligans no better than the supremacists they oppose by others, whatever you think of antifa, the movement is rapidly on the rise
Antifa have had several clashes with the alt-right since Trump took office, including this face off on April 15 during a pro-Trump rally in Berkeley
Trump supporters (L) clash with antifa during a pro-Trump rally in Berkeley, USA on April 15, when a large number of fights broke out
Antifa-aligned journal It’s Going Down warns that members ‘have to organize to defend ourselves’ against the alt-right.
‘If we allow the alt-right and neo-Nazis to organize in our communities, the consequences will be fatal,’ they wrote. ‘Charlottesville is just the beginning.’
‘We have to stand up to white supremacists, we have to shut down and chase out these bigots every time they try to organize, or else they will kill more people. The police will not protect us.’
They even have an article, titled ‘So you want to join the resistance?’ with tips on becoming an antifa member and anarchist, such as the advice to ‘support all resistance against the state.’
Neo-Nazis and left wing activists have been fighting on the fringes of society for years.
But as white supremacist groups becomes emboldened under a president, who not only has support from the alt-right, but refused to condemn the Unite the Right protesters at Saturday’s deadly Charlottesville rally, where a white nationalist plowed into a crowd of counter protesters, antifa has also found itself growing in popularity.
