LISTEN: Antifa is an organizing strategy, not a group

On the "Chauncey DeVega Show," I talk to members of an anti-fascist organization about resisting Trump's agenda

By Chauncey DeVega

Senior Writer

Published July 25, 2017 3:06PM (EDT)

'Antifa' protesters link arms as they demonstrate at a rally (Getty/Natalie Behring)
'Antifa' protesters link arms as they demonstrate at a rally (Getty/Natalie Behring)

Two representatives from the anti-fascist and labor organization The Chicago General Defense Committee, Local 3 joined me recently as my guests on "The Chauncey DeVega Show."

"I think people get confused about the term 'antifa,'" said "Andy" (not his real name). "It is an organizing strategy. Antifa is not a group of people. It has a long legacy in this country of people resisting white supremacy, from slave rebellions all the way to the present."

In our conversation, "Mike" (also not his real name) offered some thoughts about the future and what he feels it holds under Donald Trump's regime.

"I think the resistance will continue. And as far as the Chicago GDC goes, we just want to connect with people who are wanting to resist the right-wing and its desire to limit people’s ability to determine their own lives and live free of violence," he said."As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to be working towards projects that develop our ability to work together in solidarity with other members of the working class."

This episode of "The Chauncey DeVega Show" also features two other guests who stopped by to provide some context for the resurgent white supremacist and fascist movements that have been inspired by Donald Trump's election.

Ryan Lenz is an investigative journalist and researcher at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Ryan provides some context for the rise of the extreme right-wing under Donald Trump, voter suppression and violence by the so-called "alt right" and their affiliated groups.

Walidah Imarisha is an expert on the white supremacist origins of Washington and Oregon as well as the broader Pacific Northwest. Walidah provides some local context and historical background on the recent white supremacist murders of two white martyrs in Portland last May.

You'll also hear my thoughts about how Fox News brought in Superman to complain about my recent essay on flying the American flag upside down as an act of protest against Donald Trump. I also mock how easily the mainstream media and the public are hustled by Trump's Twitter game.


By Chauncey DeVega

Chauncey DeVega is a senior politics writer for Salon. His essays can also be found at Chaunceydevega.com. He also hosts a weekly podcast, The Chauncey DeVega Show. Chauncey can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

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