The US government's decision to classify prominent German anti-fascist group Antifa Ost and three other European networks as terrorist organizations has sparked concern among historians and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. The AfD has praised the move, urging European governments to follow suit, but historians warn of a dangerous precedent that could lead to a broader crackdown on left-wing activism.
The US State Department's announcement on Thursday affects Antifa Ost, whose members have faced prosecution for attacks on far-right figures in Germany; Italy's International Revolutionary Front, which sent explosive packages to the then-president of the European Commission in 2003; and two Greek organizations accused of planting bombs: Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self Defense.
The AfD has long advocated for similar rulings against anti-fascist groups, even before becoming the largest opposition party in the German parliament. Stephan Brandner, the AfD's deputy federal spokesperson, accused the German state of tolerating far-left violence, suggesting that Antifa is a terrorist organization.
However, Mark Bray, a Rutgers University professor, clarifies that only Antifa Ost is explicitly anti-fascist among the proscribed groups. He argues that the Trump administration is conflating revolutionary and radical groups under the 'antifa' label, potentially setting a precedent to declare American antifa groups as foreign terrorist affiliates.
The term 'antifa' emerged in Germany in the 1920s, but it's a broad term applied to various left-wing activist groups opposing fascism. Antifa Ost members are accused of attacks on neo-Nazis in Dresden and other acts of violence against perceived far-right individuals in Hungary between 2018 and 2023.
Six alleged members were charged in Germany in July, with the most prominent member, Maja T, facing trial in January and potential 23-year imprisonment. The German BfV domestic intelligence service, which designated the AfD as right-wing extremist, notes that the 'antifa movement' lacks a fixed structure and clear hierarchies.
Historian Richard Rohrmoser criticizes the term 'antifa' as overly broad, encompassing peaceful activist groups like the Anne Frank Center and the White Rose student movement. Trump's strategy, he warns, could ban left-wing groups and crack down on opposition figures by associating them with 'antifa'.
Italy's Fai/Fri, or Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front, is a well-established anarchist-insurrectionist cell network. The group, expressing itself through violence, was founded in 2003 and has been linked to explosive devices and letter bomb attacks.
Mary Bossis, an emeritus professor of international security, emphasizes that violence is common at the fringes of social movements but not indicative of the entire movement's stance. She stresses that opposing fascism does not equate to terrorism.
