Executive Order described the group as a ‘militaristic and anarchist company that explicitly calls the overthrow of the US and that uses’ violence and terrorism’ to suppress freedom of expression
The president of the United States,officially classified, on Monday (22), the Antifa Movement, a diffuse network of radical leftist activists who declare themselves antifascists, such as “terrorist organization”, one day after a ceremony in memory of the conservative activist who was murdered. Antifa is an abbreviated term for “antifascist” used to describe far left diffuse groups. Since Trump anticipated last week the designation that would give this movement, questions have emerged about how to define it.
The executive order described the group as a “militaristic and anarchist company that explicitly calls the overthrow of the United States government” and which uses “violence and terrorism” to suppress freedom of expression. Due to a “standard of political violence designed to repress legal political activity and obstruct the rule of law, I designate the antifa as ‘internal terrorist organization’,” the order.
But, in an apparent recognition of the questions about how to define the his order accused the group of using “means and mechanisms designed to hide the identities of their operatives.” He also used the same methods to hide his sources of financing and recruit new members, according to the Order. He adds that US authorities can act against “anyone who claims to act on behalf of the Antifa” or against whom “the antifa or anyone who claims to act on behalf of the antifa has provided material support.”
Trump repeatedly warned of a repression against the leftist groups since the murder of activist Kirk on September 10 at a university campus in Utah, which awakened the wrath of the right. The American court accused the alleged aggressor, 22 -year -old Tyler Robinson of qualified homicide. Trump had already threatened to take action against what he called Antifa during his first term.
He blamed the group for several crimes, from violence against the police to behind the Capitol attack in Washington on January 6, 2021, in which Trump supporters participated who sought to block the certification of the presidential electoral victory of . Republican president’s critics warn that the measure could be used as a pretext for repressing dissent and attacking political rivals.
Antifa, whose name has roots in 1930 Germany socialist groups who opposed Hitler, has a history of confrontation with right -wing groups and participation in civil disobedience. Activists aligned with the Antifa, often dressed completely in black, protest against racism, the extreme right values and what they consider fascism. Justify violence as self -defense.
*With information from AFP
