Want to know a bit more about Antifa?

CSPAN's Washington Journal had a segment on Antifa this morning. Mark Bray was the guest. He is publishing "The Anti-Fascist Handbook" in a couple of weeks. Mr. Bray is a "long-time activist and historian and was also involved in Occupy Wall Street." He is a Visiting Scholar at Dartmouth College. He does not belong to Antifa but is obviously sympathetic to its mission.

He decided that a book that explains Antifa in the modern day was necessary since Anti-Fascist activism goes back 100 years.

He defines the violence that happens as "collective self-defense" against "some of the most deadly people in our society," and that "we need to be ready to do that (defend ourselves)." He does add that Antifa believes in "preemptive self-defense". BTW, Nation States also endorse this idea. Israel used it in 1967 as I recall and perhaps also in the Yom Kippur War in 1973. But then states have a monopoly right on the use violence. If you don't like that notion, you too may be a candidate for one of the anarchist philosophies.

Another interesting factoid from the program is that Antifa is not one organization but people with a common desire to defend society against Fascists. He noted later that Antifa consists primarily of Anarchists (which explains why there is no formal organization), Communists and Socialists. My reaction is there's no lack of violence in those three political philosophies. An Anarchist assassinated Grand Duke Ferdinand, starting WWI, Communists are responsible for untold Millions upon Millions murdered and Socialism, well, we have a great contemporary example in Maduro of Venezuela.

Now, Mr. Bray apparently differentiates between Communism and Stalinism. He is anti-Stalin, that's cool, but Stalin came out of Communism, not Classical Liberalism. I'll note here that he did admit that Antifa is not only anti-fascist but also anti extreme right-wing or perhaps Alt Right would be the better descriptor. But I'm happy to say he specifically excluded  Right-wing Libertarianism. So, Libertarians can relax, you're safe. Until you're not.

I'm going to buy the book. Why you ask? Because if nobody buys it no one will know what it says. 

Here's the link,

https://www.amazon.com/Antifa-Antifascist-Handbook-Mark-Bray-ebook/dp/B0718VC8GV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503797976&sr=8-1&keywords=antifa+the+anti-fascist+handbook

Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook

In the wake of tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, and Donald Trump's initial refusal to denounce the white nationalists behind it all, the "antifa" opposition movement is suddenly appearing everywhere. But what is it, precisely? And where did it come…

AMAZON.COM