A recently released Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) document titled “Domestic Terrorism Symbols Guide”* links common protest symbols to “terrorism” — another marker in a common theme of conflating militant protest for social justice with deadly terrorist violence within the United States. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Brennan Center have raised warnings about such documents, citing inadequate protections for people’s constitutional rights.

      • FireTower@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        The use or sharing of these symbols or phrases alone should not independently be considered evidence of AVE presence or affiliation or serve as an indicator of illegal activity.

        -FBI, in the document referenced.

    • bassomitron@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I think there’s more nuance on the topic than you’re implying. While there’s no actual group called antifa, there are plenty of groups who oppose far right ideology (i.e. anti-fascist/antifa). Some of these groups have definitely become heavily armed and radicalized. I don’t support fascists, but I also don’t support radicalized zealots of any creed. Does that make me a fascist?

      • masquenox@lemmy.worldOP
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        1 year ago

        Does that make me a fascist?

        No, it makes you a person that probably won’t do squat to stop fascists.

        It’s no coincidence wthat it’s only radicals that show up to physically confront fascists while the so-called “enlightened centrists” do nothing but heckle from the sidelines.

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          1 year ago

          As someone who’s been in several combat zones with the US military (honorably discharged 10 years ago), I can safely say I do not want my backyard turning into one. So pardon me while I wait for all peaceful options to be utterly exhausted before getting gun-happy and LARPing with others in fatigues while shouting for armed resistance.

          If MAGAs or any other “militia” begins marching down my street, I’ll sure as shit meet it with force. But until then or an outright coup, I’ll continue advocating for peace

    • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Only if you’re dumb enough to just assume whatever a group titles themselves actually reflects their beliefs.

      Do you think the Nazis were socialist? How about the Soviets?

      You can call yourself whatever you want, if your group is anti fascist and acts in an authoritarian manner, then you’re the same thing with a different economic outlook.

      • Mandarbmax@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yes but antifa is anti fascist.

        Calling antifa a terrorist organization because in another universe an organization sharing the name could be bad is like banning ice cream because it could be made out of maggots.

        • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yes but antifa is anti fascist.

          Damn, it’s like you didn’t even understand literally my entire comment.

          Capitalist authoritarianism and socialist/communist authoritarianism are both the same thing, using terms like fascism to pretend it’s different is the problem.

          If you use authoritarian means to get your way you are only different from fascism economically. If you aren’t authoritarian then you’re not going to support any group regardless of what they refer to themselves as or what they consider the opposition to be called.