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Screen capture, July 1, 2020 at about 10:30 a.m.

Someone, beyond the little that exists, may step into the ANTIFA mystique and become the riot-inciting ANTIFA framed by the Trump Administration, but until the FBI reports out organizational data, the use of the term should seem to the concerned public dangerous and subversive in relation to America’s democratic mission.

Mother Jones published an interview with the leader of an ANTIFA cell some years ago (May/June 2017), and it looks like there is a “Rose City Antifa (RCA)” that has been around since 2007 (Wikipedia, and the organization may be easily found elsewhere online as may state-based Facebook fronts), but where’s the connection with crime?

Klippenstein, Ken. “The FBI Finds ‘No Intel Indicating Antifa Involvement’ in Sunday’s Violence: Trump wants to designate antifa a terrorist organization, despite lack of authority and evidence of wrongdoing.” The Nation, June 2, 2020.

Sheth, Sonam. “FBI ‘has no intelligence’ indicating antifa was linked to weekend violence in the George Floyd protests, despite Trump and Republicans’ claims.” Business Insider, June 2, 2020.

In recent days, the violence, threat to life, and destruction of property that we’ve seen in some parts of the country jeopardizes the rights and safety of all citizens, including peaceful demonstrators. It has to stop. We’re seeing people who are exploiting this situation to pursue violent, extremist agendas—anarchists like Antifa and other agitators. These individuals have set out to sow discord and upheaval, rather than join in the righteous pursuit of equality and justice.

FBI. “FBI Director Christopher Wray’s Remarks at Press Conference Regarding Civil Unrest in Wake of George Floyd’s Death.” June 4, 2020.

Demonizing an apparently nonviolent adversary — a conclusion to be drawn by way of the FBI’s own findings in relation to recent unrest — would seem other than a part of above-board democratic behavior and process.

Is there a civil war brewing in the United States between a White Christian Nationalist Front and a morbidly post-Soviet Communist-Socialist Distributed Enterprise?

That’s what it looks like, but where are the “ringleaders” not already well known on the fringes of American politics?

Who are the agent provocateur?

On the Putin-loving Far White Right, who’s now driving the machinery that led to Charlottesville and might lead to the next one?

And who are the counterparts in the post-Soviet Far Out and Lost Left?

Putin’s World: Authoritarian; Clouded; Criminal; Centralized Absolute Power; Feudal; Nationalist; White Christian; Thuggish; Wealth Obsessed.

Trump’s World?

Devereaux, Ryan. “He Tweeted That He Was the Leader of Antifa. Then the FBI Asked Him to Be an Informant.” The Intercept, June 9, 2020.

Addressing himself to the FBI’s main Twitter account and the bureau’s Charlotte office, Wirostek wrote: “Hi, I am the leader of Charlotte, NC Antifa. DM me for my address, or I can turn myself in. I’d be happy to let you test your bullshit terrorism statute in a U.S. court. Anyone who thinks antifascists are the bad guys are fascists.” Wirostek signed the tweet, “#IAMAntifa.”“What makes you email the FBI saying you’re the leader of antifa in Charlotte?”

Two days later, the bureau came calling. “First, they called my mom,” Wirostek told The Intercept.

Kolko, Rich and Jack Lowenstein. “Antifa doesn’t have clear organization but FBI closely monitors activity.” WINK News, June 8, 2020.

Lee, ArLuther. “FBI finds no evidence of Antifa’s involvement in national unrest.” Atlanta Journal Constitution, June 6, 2020.

Lucas, Ryan. “No Sign of Antifa So Far in Justice Department Cases Brought Over Unrest.” NPR, June 9, 2020.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has repeatedly blamed anti-fascist activists for the violence that has erupted during demonstrations over George Floyd’s death, but federal court records show no sign of so-called antifa links so far in cases brought by the Justice Department.

NPR has reviewed court documents of 51 individuals facing federal charges in connection with the unrest. As of Tuesday morning, none is alleged to have links to the antifa movement.

Miller, Cassie. “Accusations in a Mirror: How the Radical Right Blames Rising Political Violence on the Left.” Southern Poverty Law Center, June 11, 2011.

Addendum to Reference

Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas and Sandra E. Garcia. “What is Antifa, the Movement Trump Wants to Declare a Terror Group?” The New York Times, September 28, 2020.

Kenney, Michael and Colin Clarke. “What Antifa Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters.” War on the Rocks, June 23, 2020.

Roston, Aram. “American ANTIFA.” Reuters, August 25, 2021.

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