who are antifa

Antifa is a left-wing, anti-fascist, and anti-racist political movement primarily in the United States. It consists of a decentralized network of autonomous groups and individuals united by opposition to fascism, racism, white supremacy, and far-right extremism. Members often subscribe to various left-wing ideologies including anarchism, communism, and socialism, with many holding anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist views. The movement employs a range of tactics from nonviolent actions like protests, community organizing, and digital activism, to more confrontational means including physical altercations, property damage, and doxing of far-right individuals. It is not a formal organization with centralized leadership but rather a loosely affiliated movement of local cells and activists. Antifa emerged from historical anti-fascist traditions and grew significantly in visibility after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Antifa activists generally aim to prevent the organization and activities of far-right groups and are known for direct action, sometimes including violence, to oppose fascists and white supremacists. The movement is often associated with the black bloc tactic, where participants wear black clothing and masks to conceal their identities. Despite accusations from some political figures branding Antifa as a domestic terror threat, federal security agencies have typically assessed white supremacist groups as a greater threat. Recently, former President Donald Trump designated Antifa as a "major terrorist organization" in 2025, reflecting escalating political tensions, though this designation raises legal and constitutional challenges due to the movement’s decentralized nature and free speech protections. In summary, Antifa is a diverse, loosely organized far-left movement focused on combating far-right extremism through various direct actions, sometimes involving violence and property damage, with no centralized leadership or official membership structure.