The word Antifa is derived from Antifaschismus, German for "anti-fascism". It is used to refer to groups or organizations, especially in Germany but increasingly in other European countries and elsewhere, that dedicate themselves to fight what they call "fascism", which they take to include all racist, racialist or nationalist tendencies, which they view as a serious and pervasive threat. These groups often include the term antifa in their names.

While there is a network of such groups, they do not constitute a homogeneous movement. Opposition to fascism, racism and nationalism is often only the lowest common denominator on which the various groups and even members of particular groups can unite.

The struggle against fascism, racism and nationalism is usually associated with some broader view that holds current society or aspects of it responsible for them and therefore seeks radical social change. Depending on the particular group the ultimate goals may be quite different. Nonetheless, antifa groups most often view capitalism as fundamentally related to fascism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other perceived forms of oppression, and communism or anarchism as desirable forms of society with the possibility of being free of fascism, nationalism and racism.

The term "anti-fascist" and especially "Antifa" in Germany now has been "hijacked" by extreme left-wing political, so-called "Autonomous", groups, that use it to justify their "fight" against society; many, but not all of them prone to violence. The "Antifa" has therefore in the German report from the Verfassungsschutz (Federal Protection agency for the Constitution) been classified as "violence-ready left-wing extremists" (Gewaltbereite Linksextremisten) (see [1] p.121 / pdf p.122).

Autonomous propagate the resistance against authorities und ignorance of standards. The framework of their mostly spontaneous activities are diffuse fragments of anarchist and communist ideology, all stamped by diverse anti-attitunes ("anti-fascist", "anti-capitalist", "anti-patriarchal").

Report of the German Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, p.123)

Antifa methods include research, public information or propaganda, and demonstrations that typically take the form of counter-demonstrations or the targeting of what are seen to be right-wing businesses, clubs, and hang-outs. Persons and property associated (rightfully or not) with right-wing groups are often attacked by members of antifa groups, but normally the attacks are only loosely connected with any particular antifa organization.

See Also

• Anti-Racist Action
• Anti-Racism
• Anti-Sexism
• Anti-Fascism

External links:

• AntiFaNet
• German Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution