Dear Antifa, terrorizing and attacking innocent people isn't fighting fascism

Now I was one of those who had the guts to fight against "the fascists" who were exploiting disadvantaged people.

I wasn't 'a card-carrying Antifascist.' There is no such thing as official Antifa membership. But I was ready at a moment's notice to slip on the black mask and march in what Antifa calls "the black bloc"—a cadre of other black-clad Antifa members—to taunt police and destroy property.

Antifa stands for "Antifascist," but that's purposefully deceptive. For one thing, the very name is calibrated so that anyone who dares to criticize the group or its tactics can be labeled "fascist." This allows Antifa to justify violence against all who dare stand up to or speak out against them.

A few groups boldly declare themselves Antifa like "Rose City Antifa" in Portland. But most don't, preferring to avoid the negative publicity.

That's part of Antifa's appeal—and strength. It's hard to pin down. There's no identifiable leader.

To be part of Antifa you must adopt two basic principles. First, you have to have the mentality of an "Antifascist." And second, you must be willing to enforce that mentality.

To adopt an Antifascist mentality means to reject everything that is fascism. But that begs the question: What is fascism?

While most Americans associate fascism with Nazi Germany or modern dictatorial states like Venezuela, China, and North Korea, to Antifa, fascism means Judeo-Christian values and capitalism.

As an Antifa group said on its Twitter account in 2018, "The fight against fascism is only won when the capitalist system is smashed."