Antifascist Historian Mark Bray Flees USA After Death Threats

Mark Bray, a historian specialising in antifascism, has left the USA with his family due to escalating death threats. The threats came after right-wing extremists published his home address and following President Trump's decree declaring 'Antifa' a 'domestic terrorist organization'.

Bray's decision follows a series of events that have put him and his family in danger. Right-wing circles have been spreading misinformation, claiming 'Antifa' is the paramilitary arm of the Democratic Party, funded by George Soros. This narrative has been echoed by high-ranking officials, with Attorney General Pam Bondi equating 'Antifa' with Hamas and the Islamic State.

Bray, who acknowledges the paradox of resistance, believes that even non-militant resistance can be used by the state to further restrict rights and justify repression. He views the political engagement and resistance against the Trump regime as needing more militant forms to effectively challenge Trump's state apparatus. Bray had already agreed to teach only online courses after receiving a threatening email that he would be killed during a lecture.

Antifascism in the USA has roots dating back over 100 years, with activities against the Ku Klux Klan and resistance against discriminatory laws against blacks. However, the United States in the 1930s did not have prominent anti-fascist groups or individuals with well-documented roots that compare to those in Europe. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade, which consisted of Americans fighting against fascism in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939, is often cited as an example of anti-fascist engagement by U.S. citizens during this period.

Mark Bray's decision to leave the USA underscores the escalating tensions and threats faced by those perceived to be associated with 'Antifa'. Despite the misinformation and threats, Bray's work highlights the historical significance and ongoing relevance of antifascist movements in the USA.