I want to do a little bit of analysis on some of the reports that have broken in the past week or so pertaining to US federal involvement with anti-fascist movements.
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In early September, Politico reported that the DHS classified "Antifa" as "domestic terrorists." Though Politico attributed this to the DHS, the source was, again, the Virginia Fusion Center.https://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/01/antifa-charlottesville-violence-fbi-242235 …
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More than likely, the DHS classification was because the DHS is sort of the clearinghouse/rubber stamp for this kind of report, as they generally are the "glue" for fusion center operations. Such an investigation is in the FBI's wheelhouse typically.
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Finally, the Virginia State Police's after-action review of the Charlottesville events also reveals some information: "the [FBI] cited five individuals of significant interest."
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It's not clear what side these individuals were on, but from context it is clear that these individuals in question were people who travel nationwide to attend such rallies, and suggests that at least some of these five were not "antifa."
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What does this all mean when putting it together? It suggests that the FBI has zeroed in on a specific set of behaviors in targeting their investigations.
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From these reports, we can gather that these behaviors likely include most of the following: - "extremist" ideology with an advocacy of violence; - nationwide travel to attend rallies (Portland, Berkeley, and Pikeville are cited); - prior criminal record or affiliations.
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What is also clear is that the FBI *is* aware that "antifa" isn't a group. But they are looking at self-identified antifa groups whose membership may have individuals who fit this profile.
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The VSP report uses this "outside agitator" concept to suggest that folks who travel for rallies don't have close contact with local organizers and that they may use this anonymity to instigate violence.
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This in turn hints that the FBI is using this patterned behavior as the basis for its investigations.
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So what does that mean for us? It's not illegal to attend a rally somewhere other than where you live. But the investigative microscope may spend more time examining you if you're outspoken about punching Nazis and tend to show up in a bunch of different cities.
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We always knew that the FBI would be watching these rallies closely. But the combination of these reports does give a slightly clearer picture of *what* they're investigating and *how*.
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End of conversation
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