The Meaning of Antifa: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of Antifa? Find out all of the information you need on the acronym Antifa, like its definition, usage, and more here.

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What Does Antifa Mean?

According to ADL, Antifa refers to a movement that is opposed to fascism. Antifa is an abbreviation for both anti-fascism and anti-fascist.

While this is a movement, it is not a group and does not have a unifying body. This movement does not have a central leader; it is decentralized, composed of individuals, small groups, and networks. The Antifa logo is a double flag in black and red.

Since there is no unifying body for Antifa, it is difficult to place a number on the number of current ideological adherents. However, some smaller groups in different locations have different-sized populations. 

While Antifa used to have associations with being quite radical on the far left, after the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, many other people with different political backgrounds have started identifying as Antifa or Antifa supporters.

Antifa has since expanded its definition to not only include directly fascist leaders and white supremacists but also conservatives and supporters of former President Trump.

The Antifa movement and Antifa activists are not necessarily anarchists as they are portrayed in the media but are dedicated to fighting against racists in person and on the internet.

Some use social media tactics like Twitter to support their cause. They stand against the alt-right, neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and white supremacist terrorist organizations or those who incite acts of domestic terrorism. 

What Is the History of Antifa?

Antifa and the anti-fascist protest movement first gained traction after the Unite the Right rally, a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. These believers of Antifa often counter-protest authoritarian movements and groups, as well as lead their own protests.

While most of these are peaceful demonstrations in opposition to rallies, there are certain militant Antifa adherents who can incite violence, like with any group. However, not all counter-protestors who are violent are supporters of Antifa. 

Roots in the Second World War

While Antifa grew to popularity in 2017, it actually began in the 1960s in Europe. By the late 1970s, it had reached the United States. This group began in opposition to the Nazi Party.

They believe that the rise of Hitler and the Holocaust could have been stopped before they occurred. Antia claims that if the Allies had fought Germany in the 1920s and 30s, the horrors of WWII could have been avoided.

Antifa also maintains an online presence in which they continue to battle white supremacy and the spread of fascist ideology online. They focus on preventing the spread of misinformation as well as exposing far-right white supremacist online groups.

On August 29, 2020, one suspected Antifa-related murder took place in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, seven self-identified anti-fascists were charged on December 6, 2021, during a Patriot March in Pacific Beach, which took place in January of 2021. They allegedly used sticks, pepper spray, and other items to attack Trump supporters at this march.

There are many different controversies surrounding a number of different political parties and ideological groups, with Antifa being only one of them. A number of different groups and parties have both extremists and moderates involved in them.

This is the case in both left-leaning political groups and right-leaning political groups. No matter the belief system, there will be people who have a mild opinion about it and those who feel strongly.

What Are Different Political Parties and Activist Groups?

There are many different parties and groups that exist in the United States of America, all with differing beliefs. Many different people have different levels of political ideology. Some people do not get involved with politics at all, while some people are very heavily attached to their political beliefs.

All of the different groups and parties listed below range from being extreme far-left groups such as socialist groups to extreme far-right groups such as the American Nazi Party. 

Some groups do not take a stance either way on left-wing versus right-wing ideologies but rather focus on specific issues. Some are also considered to be moderate parties, meaning that they are in between the left-leaning and right-leaning sides of the political spectrum. If you are looking for a group that matches your specific beliefs, you will certainly be able to find one out there somewhere.

A Brief List of Different Political Parties

Take a look at the below list from UNT and see how many you recognize:

  • American Patriot Party
  •  Socialist International
  •  Labor Party
  •  Green Party of the United States | Green Parties of North America | Greens/Green Party USA
  •  Constitution Party (formerly United States Taxpayers Party)
  •  Socialist Equality Party
  •  Socialist Labor Party of America
  •  Prohibition Party
  •  United States Pacifist Party
  •  Republican National Committee
  •  Natural Law Party of the United States of America
  •  Peace and Freedom Party
  •  Socialist Party USA
  •  Socialist Action
  •  Pansexual Peace Party
  •  Veterans Party of America
  •  Revolutionary Communist Party, USA
  •  Third Party of America
  •  Workers World Party
  •  Independent American Party
  •  Multicapitalist Party
  •  American Reform Party (formerly the National Reform Party Committee)
  •  Light Party
  •  National Socialist Movement
  •  Campaign for a Working Democracy (formerly the New Union Party)
  •  Workers Party, USA
  •  Party X
  •  America First Party
  •  Democratic Socialists of America (affiliated with The Socialist International)
  •  Progressive Labor Party
  •  American Nazi Party
  •  World Socialist Party of the US (affiliated with World Socialist Movement)
  •  Socialist Workers Party
  •  Democratic Party
  •  Libertarian National Socialist Green Party
  •  Tea Party Patriots
  •  United States Marijuana Party
  •  Libertarian Party
  •  Reform Party
  •  Communist Party USA
  •  American Patriot Party
  •  We The People

Conclusion

Overall, Antifa is an ideology that is opposed to right-wing extremists and far-right groups, from Mussolini in Italy, through the world wars, to modern-day Trump supporters. Anti-fascist groups and similar groups are often far-left or socialists, though this definition has expanded after the 2016 election.

Sources:

  1. Who are Antifa? | ADL 
  2. Political Parties & Activist Groups | UNT
  3. What Is Antifa? Expert on Origins, Myths and History | Time
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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

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