[Reddit] The troubling implications of the conflict in Berkley today.I have seen quite a bit of media that has come out of Berkeley today, including watching some of a live stream, and it is very troubling.
The right was able to hold their own to a large degree against antifascists, in one of the most radical metropolitan areas in the country. They gave as good as they got, and they were able to keep a presence in the streets for hours.
Everything that we have vocalized about the Trump presidency, that it has mobilized racists and fascists, that it emboldens them, that it allows them to present their bigotry as simply another political opinion, is coming true.
In the aftermath of this event, It is time for some serious reflection. Now is not the time to sugar coat the truth, to revel in the feeling of success of a clean punch to a Nazi's face, but rather to take a step back and ask what organizational steps can take place to stop this from happening again. What tactics can we use to disrupt their events, even when there are similar numbers to our own? What differences must we put down, and alliances we need to create, in the resistance to fascism?
My thoughts are with our comrades in the Bay who were injured today. The highest level of respect to you.
Bash the Fash.
Now more than ever.
Response from one commenter:
There's nothing at stake for antifa besides their social media profiles. No one getting hauled into prison camps, no rights being infringed for them, the 'nazi' are just pretend nazis, the little rebel costumes and all that shit don't hide what everyone knows they are. They're kids, mostly weak, many female, college drop outs, many paid or doing it for college credit. You can hope for better outcomes but you can't change the fact that under it all there is no compelling message besides 'take selfies, wreck stuff'. The other side has their freedom to fight for and many of them have had years of military training to do just that.
