LA Times Worries: Does Antifa's Violence Help Trump's Claims?
Media finally find reason to condemn Antifa violence: it could make Trump look right.
After violence once again erupted from the self-styled "anti-fascists" in Berkeley over the weekend, Americans have encountered a few surprising headlines from news outlets that had so far held the party line by whitewashing leftist violence. The black-clad, mask-wearing, weapon-carrying Antifas simply left the media with no way to glorify or excuse their actions this time (though some outlets tried). On Monday, The Washington Post finally dealt somewhat honestly with the violent leftist movement, reporting, "Black-clad Antifa attack peaceful right-wing demonstrators in Berkeley." And now even the Los Angeles Times is acknowledging that "Antifa violence" is a problem.
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The Times soon gets to the heart of the issue, a question that is clearly haunting many on the Left: "Does violence help Trump’s claims?"
"Trump received blistering criticism for equating the behavior of Klansmen and neo-Nazis to the actions of those who opposed them," the Times notes. "Some fear that Sunday’s violence would only help advance the idea that the two sides are the same."
Who exactly are those "some" who fear Antifa is proving Trump right? We all know the answer to that, but the LA Times turns to one of its experts to inform us that Antifa is hurting the "Resistance":
While the LA Times claims that the Antifa only numbered around 100, it underscores that an estimated 4,000 people were there to protest. The paper explains that the violence-embracing group was supposed to be there to play a "defensive role," but also acknowledges that by the end of the day, 13 people were arrested on "suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and three on battery charges." That's not "defensive."
Media finally find reason to condemn Antifa violence: it could make Trump look right.
After violence once again erupted from the self-styled "anti-fascists" in Berkeley over the weekend, Americans have encountered a few surprising headlines from news outlets that had so far held the party line by whitewashing leftist violence. The black-clad, mask-wearing, weapon-carrying Antifas simply left the media with no way to glorify or excuse their actions this time (though some outlets tried). On Monday, The Washington Post finally dealt somewhat honestly with the violent leftist movement, reporting, "Black-clad Antifa attack peaceful right-wing demonstrators in Berkeley." And now even the Los Angeles Times is acknowledging that "Antifa violence" is a problem.
[clip]
The Times soon gets to the heart of the issue, a question that is clearly haunting many on the Left: "Does violence help Trump’s claims?"
"Trump received blistering criticism for equating the behavior of Klansmen and neo-Nazis to the actions of those who opposed them," the Times notes. "Some fear that Sunday’s violence would only help advance the idea that the two sides are the same."
Who exactly are those "some" who fear Antifa is proving Trump right? We all know the answer to that, but the LA Times turns to one of its experts to inform us that Antifa is hurting the "Resistance":
“This is food for the adversary,” said sociologist Todd Gitlin, a founder of Students for a Democratic Society, which organized the first national protests against the Vietnam War. He pointed out that violent acts committed by a few will almost always hijack the narrative of the entire protest, and that it is happening now should be no surprise.
Gitlin also described what he sees as a push by the anti-fascist — also called “antifa” — movement to put “themselves on the map of protest” by using violence to “intimidate” both political opponents and those on the left who promote non-violence. One of the biggest banners at the Berkeley demonstration carried the message “Avenge Charlottesville.”
Gitlin also described what he sees as a push by the anti-fascist — also called “antifa” — movement to put “themselves on the map of protest” by using violence to “intimidate” both political opponents and those on the left who promote non-violence. One of the biggest banners at the Berkeley demonstration carried the message “Avenge Charlottesville.”
While the LA Times claims that the Antifa only numbered around 100, it underscores that an estimated 4,000 people were there to protest. The paper explains that the violence-embracing group was supposed to be there to play a "defensive role," but also acknowledges that by the end of the day, 13 people were arrested on "suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and three on battery charges." That's not "defensive."
