Examining Whether the Terrorism Label Applies to Antifa

MIN READAug 27, 2019 | 10:00 GMT

Members of an antifa group march as the Alt-Right movement gathers for a "Demand Free Speech" rally in July 6, 2019, in Washington.

(ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

In 2017, Oxford Dictionaries shortlisted it as one of its words of the year, and since then, the term has become arguably even more prominent. Indeed, antifa (Anti-Fascist Action) seems to be everywhere these days. The violence of some of its supporters notwithstanding, is antifa a terrorist organization? The short answer is no -- if for no other reason that antifa isn't really a group or organization to begin with. That, however, doesn't mean that some who have adopted the ideological mantle of anti-fascism do not engage in terrorist or militant activity -- something that could have profound implications for anyone caught in the middle of a battle between antifa and the far-right. ...