Vice News has produced an excellent documentary that gives voice to the people in the antifa movement to explain who they are and what they are doing and why. Given that so much of media coverage has been from the authoritarian establishment that condemns antifa, this is a much-needed and welcome alternative perspective that anyone who is concerned about understanding recent political developments should watch.
One cannot help but be impressed by the sober way that the trio of antifa activists explains the threat that is posed by white supremacists and neo-Nazis in the US right now and why direct action to counter them, even if it leads to violence, is necessary to prevent them from growing. They explain that they do not seek violence for its own sake, just for kicks as some critics like to suggest, but only in self-defense or the defense of those who cannot fight back (as this pacifist minister testified) or to achieve a very specific and targeted goal.
Recall that Vice News was also the group that produced the other excellent documentary that went inside the white supremacist and neo-Nazi movement that attended the Charlottesville rally. Jordan Klepper’s show also spoke to some antifa activists recently, though with a somewhat lighter touch, so the antifa message is slowly getting out.
Oh my god! They have their faces covered! They are wearing niqabs! They must be mooslim terrorists!
I must be a bad person; I grin every time I see Spencer getting slugged.
That was a very interesting video and the last point made, that the Nazis have not come back is telling.
I would greatly prefer than there be no violence but I suppose I support antifa. It is much better to drive the vermin back into the holes than to let them march or demonstrate until they convince themselves they really are a superior race.
Watching the thugs being opposed and hopefully running away is not likely to be a good recruiting ad. Pointing out that one punch in the face drove Spencer into hiding is good news for antifa.
jrkrideau@#1:
the last point made, that the Nazis have not come back is telling.
Yes. Have you noticed how the fascists message has changed from “we will come hurt you” to “don’t hurt us! *waah*!” Antifa and the black block are showing them that they’re out-numbered and that that’s why they don’t get to drive their politics across the entire spectrum.
I happen to see the potential emergence of professionalized rioters -- specifically anti-police brutality rioters -- as evolved in Ireland during the troubles (and led to Bloody Sunday, which was a strategic defeat for England) -- as probably inevitable. In a sense, the Black Panthers were that. And, speaking of which, there are forces similar to the panthers beginning to stir. Which, I, personally, favor. If cops are going to continue to shoot black people with impunity, I think it’s going to come down to a few cops having to get shot before they figure out how “there are millions of us and a small number of you” works.
IOW: time may be coming when black bloc and antifa are perceived as less radical than other forces that may be coming in off the bench. Stupid fucking nazis have no idea what they are asking for.