Current Events > New GOP bill proposes 15-year sentence for people engaging in antifa behavior

(+) Yeah! (+)

Dis is messed up.

Anyone who doubts the speed with which paranoid authoritarianism is becoming the dominant worldview of todays GOP should read the Unmasking Antifa Act, a short bill recently introduced in Congress by four House Republicans.

The legislation would punish anyone who injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person engaged in a legally protected right or privilege while wearing a mask with up to 15 years in prison.

The extreme vagueness of oppresses and intimidates raises concerns that anyone who simply shows up at a protest in a mask could be put away for a very long time if the bill becomes law.

People should not go to prison for attending protests. That is why there is an amendment to the Constitution protecting the right to free assembly. And 15 years is an extraordinary sentence for behavior, no matter how threatening; convicted murderers often arent incarcerated that long.

Antifa is shorthand for a diverse and diffuse array of anti-fascist and anti-racist activists. It isnt a nationally coordinated or centrally organized movement. And various antifa chapters are a problem only for neo-Nazis. Antifa activists show up as counterprotesters at fascist events, like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year, where thousands of armed white nationalists clashed with antifa members and other protesters.

Antifa groups are distinguished from other organizations that do not like Nazis by their willingness to use violence against Nazis, but most people have little to fear from their local antifa chapter. In more than 30 years of antifa activity, there has been one confirmed fatality caused by an antifa group member in 1993, when a Nazi in Portland, Oregon, was shot during a fight at a gas station. Far-right extremists, by contrast, were responsible for 670 fatalities, 3,053 injuries and 4,420 attacks in the United States from 1990 to 2012, according to a report from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.), a former prosecutor best known for helping Eric Garners killer stay out of prison. It is co-sponsored by fellow tough-guy New York Republican Rep. Peter King; Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), a conspiracy theorist who once suggested that George Soros might have orchestrated last years violence in Charlottesville through an elaborate false-flag operation; and Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), a favorite of the Club for Growth.

Lol America. Every day gets closer to some sort of dytipian future.
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Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group, soooooo who cares
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I'm not surprised, but I am disgusted.
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Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group, soooooo who cares

And MLK Jr. was considered a terrorist but the KKK isn't a terrorist organization, so maybe don't listen to a fascist state and how they define terrorism?

Crepes posted...

Lol America. Every day gets closer to some sort of dytipian future.

The police will be able to continue covering their faces, when they're the ones who most need to be transparent to the public.

Dystopic and counterproductive.
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Most antifa aren't antifa, they're anarchists hiding behind a decent cause.
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Good. I hope they get some soon
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it won't pass
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This is disturbing, to say the least. Talk about slippery slopes.

SpinKirby posted...

it won't pass

A lot of shady stuff passed under trump though, so who knows
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eggcorn posted...

Most antifa aren't antifa, they're anarchists hiding behind a decent cause.

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southcoast09 posted...

Good. I hope they get some soon

Fun thing about how poorly this is worded.

If there was a Halloween party at a bar and people got drunk there, went outside after arguing, started fighting and got arrested with a mask on, they could be charged with this and serve 15 years plus the assault and public intoxication charges.

BWLurker posted...

This is disturbing, to say the least. Talk about slippery slopes.

Slippery slope only applies when we aren't already in free fall after being thrown off the edge of the cliff at the bottom of the slope.

I agree only if neo nazi groups and the KKK face the same sentencing.
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spikethedevil posted...

I agree only if neo nazi groups and the KKK face the same sentencing.

They wont, you know.
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Sorry Guy Fawkes
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Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group, soooooo who cares

Do alt righters even know how to read? Doesn't seem like it.
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This after the forgiveness for actual domestic terrorists
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Should be longer IMO.
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asagi_mode_gone posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group, soooooo who cares

And MLK Jr. was considered a terrorist but the KKK isn't a terrorist organization, so maybe don't listen to a fascist state and how they define terrorism?

Both of these comments miss the nuanced reality of the situation. The SF bay area Antifa members who showed up at UC Berkeley last year with paramilitary gear and set fire to the campus are domestic terrorists; other regional chapters of Antifa are not.

In any case, this bill is terrible. Violence, arson and credible threats are already illegal. The only purpose this bill serves is to grant the government vague and authoritarian powers to lock up protesters. If the GOP's goal is to turn me into a single-issue voter, this bill will certainly do the trick. A vote for this bill is a permanent disqualifier, as far as my vote is concerned.
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Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

SomeLikeItHoth posted...

Should be longer IMO.

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I do think members of Antifa who engage in violence and intimidation should be arrested and punished, but 15 years might be a tad long for crimes other than the more violent acts.

Like, I wouldn't mind if Eric Clanton got 15 years for cracking people over the heads with a metal bike lock.
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JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?
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Esrac posted...

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Humans.

Wow, I never knew this forum had so many supporters of fascism.
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Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Beliebers, sports fans, etc.

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Beliebers, sports fans, etc.

Those are examples of groups of people.
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Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Id imagine it would have to be some kind of prior communication to be considered a group.

If its not organized its not a group
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I dont think they should be jailed,
but I think they are scum so Im not going to cry over this.

its not fair tho

If they aren't a group, then what are they?
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oh wait I just read the bill. Lmfao

Thats not what it is at all. Its illegalizing rioting with face masks.

France has illegallized head covers and they are hardly an authoritarian regime

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group, soooooo who cares

You used to eat paint chips when you were young didn't you?
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Milkman5 posted...

oh wait I just read the bill. Lmfao

Thats not what it is at all. Its illegalizing rioting with face masks.

France has illegallized head covers and they are hardly an authoritarian regime

Thats actually even worse tbh. As its now an even easier way to tack on pull shit charges to any protestor you want.
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Esrac posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Beliebers, sports fans, etc.

Those are examples of groups of people.

Wearing quasi-uniform clothing and commuting acts together in unison under the same banner.

lmfao
there are masking rioting laws all over the country already. This would just make it federal. They did this in Alabama to the fight the KKK. Was it authoritarian then?

I cant beleive how disingenious sjws are becoming. Wahh

Fascist SJWs cant attack people and destroy property anonymously anymore

fuck off with that shit

gamepimp12 posted...

Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Id imagine it would have to be some kind of prior communication to be considered a group.

If its not organized its not a group

https://antifascistnetwork.org/how-to-set-up-an-anti-fascist-group/

This is a thing.

https://itsgoingdown.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/howtoantifa-revised.pdf

So is this.

I mean, it's not like the antifa protestors just show up without prior organization.
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Milkman5 posted...

lmfao
there are masking rioting lws all over the country. This would just make it federal. They did this in Alabama to the fight the KKK. Was it authoritarian then?

I cant beleive how disingenious sjws are becoming. Wahh

Fascist SJWs cant attack people and destroy property anonymously anymore

fuck off with that shit

This is code for "The sjws punched me for being a Nazi, they're the real fascists"

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Beliebers, sports fans, etc.

Those are examples of groups of people.

Wearing quasi-uniform clothing and commuting acts together in unison under the same banner.

Yes. Groups. I don't know what you're getting at.
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Esrac posted...

https://antifascistnetwork.org/how-to-set-up-an-anti-fascist-group/

This is a thing.

And it's a thing that shows Antifa isn't a group.

asagi_mode_gone posted...

This is code for "The sjws punched me for being a Nazi, they're the real fascists"

It's not code for anything.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_laws#United_States

There are anti-mask laws in many U.S. states and the District of Columbia.[1]

New York State's anti-mask law was enacted in 1845, to provide for public safety after disputes between landlords and tenants.[2]
Many anti-mask laws date back to the mid-20th century when states and municipalities, passed them to stop the violent activities of the Ku Klux Klan, whose members typically wore hoods of white linen to conceal their identities.[3][4]
In the 21st century those laws have been applied to political protesters such as those affiliated with the Occupy Movement or Anonymous wearing Guy Fawkes masks.[5][6][7][8]
In some areas motorcyclists have been arrested using anti-masking laws.[9]
Anti-mask laws have also been used against ANTIFA.

These laws have been challenged on the grounds that they violate the guarantees of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to free speech and free association. Some courts have weighed freedom of speech against the public safety interest, and upheld such laws. For example, the Georgia Supreme Court found the law constitutional on the grounds that the wearing of the mask was an act of intimidation and a threat of violence, which is not protected speech.[10] That law has exceptions for holiday celebrations, theatre performances, and occupational safety; the ruling makes it unclear if someone is violating the law if they wear a mask without the intent to threaten violence. A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a New York law on the ground that wearing a Ku Klux Klan mask did not convey a protected message beyond that conveyed by wearing a hood and robe.[2] Other courts have struck down anti-mask laws. For example, Tennesee and Florida state laws have been invalidated on the grounds that they were unconstitutionally broad.[10] An ordinance in Goshen, Indiana, was struck down based on First Amendment doctrine that specifically protects anonymous speech and anonymous association, especially for unpopular groups like the KKK.[2]

Liberals are truly a lost cause.

This shit already exists in many states and western countries all over the world.

Denmark, France, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Sweden etc

But now when America tries to pass it country wide, some how it is proof that this is an Authoritarian regime

Liberals have completely lost it.

You guys are fucking cultists at this point

JE19426 posted...

Esrac posted...

https://antifascistnetwork.org/how-to-set-up-an-anti-fascist-group/

This is a thing.

And it's a thing that shows Antifa isn't a group.

It's literally a "how to" on setting up a local Antifa group.

At best, you can say Antifa is a collection of groups under a common banner.
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Esrac posted...

It's literally a "how to" on setting up a local Antifa group.

At best, you can say Antifa is a collection of groups under a common banner.

Exactly, that's the best you can argue, and it's pretty dumb to argue multiple groups, with no relation except their banner, should be responsible for each others actions.

Esrac posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Esrac posted...

JE19426 posted...

Mal_Fet posted...

Antifa is a literal domestic terrorist group

Antifa isn't a group at all, so it certainly isn't a terrorist group.

What would you call a collection of people who gather together in the same place at the same time and for the same reason while wearing quasi-uniform clothing and committing acts together in unison under the same banner?

Beliebers, sports fans, etc.

Those are examples of groups of people.

Wearing quasi-uniform clothing and commuting acts together in unison under the same banner.

Yes. Groups. I don't know what you're getting at.

They are wearing the same sports team outfit or bieber shirts, and engaging in an activity as a collective.

Milkman5 posted...

lmfao
there are masking rioting laws all over the country already. This would just make it federal. They did this in Alabama to the fight the KKK. Was it authoritarian then?

I cant beleive how disingenious sjws are becoming. Wahh

Fascist SJWs cant attack people and destroy property anonymously anymore

fuck off with that shit

Im not opposed to the law Im more opposed to an incredibly vague law used to tack extra crimes on people.

This effectively makes being apart of a protest and wearing a mask illegal, which would be fine if polices favorite way to disperse people, riot or not is through the use of teargas.

So basically you try to protect yourself from said gas, wether youve done anything wrong or not you now risk a 15 year charge
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JE19426 posted...

Esrac posted...

It's literally a "how to" on setting up a local Antifa group.

At best, you can say Antifa is a collection of groups under a common banner.

Exactly, that's the best you can argue, and it's pretty dumb to argue multiple groups, with no relation except their banner, should be responsible for each others actions.

I disagree, when they share common cause, methods, etc. Like one of the links I provided said, you adopt the antifa banner for your local chapter because it provides a brand recognition that persists between chapters. People form antifa subgroups because they want to partake in the kind of violent resistance and revolution that the overarching movement is about.

Regardless, when antifa is specifically about violent resistance to perceived facism, we don't need to hold one local chapter responsible for the violence committed by another. We can hold them each responsible and get a similar result.
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@gamepimp12
I agree. Any law that uses vague descriptors like oppress should never be used in legislation.

And the cops should be at these riots to catch the criminals, they should not wait until after the fact.

How many Antifa rioters actually got away serving time because they could not be identified?

I dont think anyone will be unfairly imprisoned from this law, as they would all just take their masks off.

But by revealing your identity, you open yourself up for opposers to target you.

If you do nothing criminal, I see no reason that someone in Antifa should get their identity leaked. But thats also the risk of being in public.

My issue is with the 100% narrative spun by these mindless sjws.

As if this is the first mask law that has ever existed lmfao