Is Antifa a gang? Our investigation, plus a week on extremism
The prosecution of anti-fascist activists in San Diego is being denounced by some experts as biased and political. It’s also possible had a serious influence on how the movement known as Antifa was prosecuted across the country.
Meanwhile, a new book about Proud boys revealed a detailed written plan for a march in New York just days after the January 6 uprising.
It was the week of extremism.
Antifa is trying it out
My in-depth investigation of prosecution of 11 anti-fascist activists in San Diego published this week. In the first case of its kind, the defendants have been charged with multiple felonies, and the San Diego district attorney is accusing them of participating in a conspiracy to commit a riot.
The case could serve as a template for conservative prosecutors around the country, experts say.
- The case focuses on the confrontation on January 9, 2021 – three days after the January 6 uprising – between far-right and anti-fascist agitators. The rightmost group descends into the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego in search of a fight. Anti-fascists from Los Angeles and San Diego were present to meet them and sporadic acts of violence broke out throughout the day.
- Almost a year later, the local DA published the charges, but only against the anti-fascists. No one in the far-right pro-Trump group has been charged. That makes the prosecution seem political, experts say.
- Prosecution isn’t just for the war. Antifa activists are accused of conspiracy, based on allegations that they coordinated their attacks. This can effectively double their sentences.
And there are other questions about this case:
- The DA, Summer Stephan, also has a history of promoting far-right conspiracy theories about Antifa.
- My investigation found that the alleged victims in this case included those identified as some of Southern California’s most notorious white supremacists, including members of a group the United Anti-Defamation League called “Core white supremacists”
Carried away: According to experts, the San Diego case is a test for prosecutors across the country. If the 11 defendants are convicted, it could send a message to conservative prosecutors that they can prosecute Antifa more like a gang than a loosely organized political movement.
Extremism followers:Extreme Followers: How a Network of Researchers Is Looking for the Next Hate Attack
Where is Antifa?:Anti-fascist groups abandoned street protests, inactive
Proud planning boys
The far-right street extremist gang Proud Boys is not particularly well known for its plans. The group specializes in appearing more at right-wing events and participating in wars. But a newly released document shows that at least some of the group’s members had detailed, exhaustive plans for the January 10 march in New York City, just days after the uprising. January 6.
- The document released by the Guardian this week details the security plan, the New York Police Department liaison and contact details for the march.
This is not the first written protest plan connected with the group. Earlier this year, I wrote about a Proud Boys documentary titled “1776 Returns” was attached as an exhibit on file in the federal conspiracy case against the organization. That document contains details similar to the newly unearthed document.
- Read more: The document was obtained by extremism reporter Andy Campbell from a member of the Proud Boys who had just release a book about the group.
‘Devastating piece of evidence’:‘Evidence of Destruction’: Filing reveals Proud Boys’ plan to attack buildings on January 6
Inside the Proud Boys:They joined the Wisconsin Proud Boys in search of brotherhood. They uncover racism, bullying and anti-Semitism.
Update from last week:A White House Summit on Hate Violence and Another Murder by QAnon