Germany’s far-right AfD party is cheering after the US labeled a German anti-fascist group as a terrorist organization. They are urging Berlin and other European nations to follow suit. This move has raised concerns among historians who study antifascism, especially as far-right groups gain influence in Europe.
The US State Department announced the designation on Thursday, affecting Germany’s Antifa Ost, which has faced legal issues for confrontations with far-right individuals. Other groups labeled include Italy’s International Revolutionary Front, infamous for sending explosive packages, and two Greek organizations linked to bombings.
AfD has long sought similar classifications in Germany, with deputy spokesperson Stephan Brandner asserting that Antifa is a terrorist group. He believes the German government turns a blind eye to leftist violence.
This designation means the US could freeze financial assets of these groups and ban their members from entering the country. Mark Bray, a scholar on the history of antifascism at Rutgers University, pointed out that only Antifa Ost is truly an antifascist group; the others are revolutionary in nature. “This shows how the Trump administration is merging different radical groups under the ‘antifa’ label,” he said.
The antifascist movement started in Germany in the 1920s, but its name now covers a broad range of leftist activists who oppose fascism. Some members of Antifa Ost have been charged with violent actions against neo-Nazis, while its notable member, Maja T, faces a lengthy prison sentence in Hungary.
Richard Rohrmoser, a historian, explained that “antifa” is a catch-all term. It can apply to both violent factions and peaceful organizations like the Christian-inspired White Rose movement, which opposed the Nazis.
Mary Bossis, an expert in international security, emphasized that while violence can occur in wider movements, it doesn’t define them. “Standing against fascism does not make someone a terrorist,” she stated.
This crackdown on antifascist groups comes at a troubling time as far-right sentiment grows in Europe and the US. The rising popularity of these parties, coupled with the dismantling of neo-Nazi organizations like Greece’s Golden Dawn, suggests a shifting political landscape that is increasingly polarized.
In conclusion, while the US’s move might seem like a victory for the AfD, it raises critical questions about free speech, activism, and the definitions of terrorism versus legitimate protest. As we reflect on this trend, it’s essential to consider the historical context and the implications for the future of political discourse in Europe and beyond.
For more on this topic, you might find the US State Department’s report on terrorism useful here.
