FBI, Cops and Prosecutors Target Anti-Fascist Activists
In actions reminiscent of COINTELPRO, which was the principal U.S. government campaign to disrupt and murder the Black Panthers, the FBI has started an investigation of By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) under the guise of “domestic terrorism.” A 46 page, heavily redacted report revealed that the FBI was conducting a surveillance campaign. As reported by the Guardian, the surveillance revealed that:
- The FBI investigated Bamn for potential “conspiracy” against the “rights” of the “Ku Klux Klan” and white supremacists.
- The FBI considered the KKK as victims and the leftist protesters as potential terror threats, and downplayed the threats of the Klan, writing: “The KKK consisted of members that some perceived to be supportive of a white supremacist agenda.”
- The FBI’s monitoring included in-person surveillance, and the agency cited Bamn’s advocacy against “rape and sexual assault” and “police brutality” as evidence in the terrorism inquiry.”
The targeting of BAMN and other left activists followed the stabbing of seven anti-fascists, including one BAMN supporter, who were protesting a white supremacist rally in Sacramento in June of 2016. Instead of focusing on racist, fascist neo-Nazi violence and terror, the FBI goes after those who fight to stop these forces from mobilizing for their genocidal program. None of the white supremacists faced charges and instead, it was the anti-fascists who faced prosecution. In another Guardian article, “California police worked with neo-Nazis to pursue ‘anti-racist’ activists, documents show”, reported that “California police investigating a violent white nationalist event worked with white supremacists in an effort to identify counter-protesters and sought the prosecution of activists with “anti-racist” beliefs, court documents show.
The records, which also showed officers expressing sympathy with white supremacists and trying to protect a neo-Nazi organizer’s identity, were included in a court briefing from three anti-fascist activists who were charged with felonies after protesting at a Sacramento rally.”
“Cops and Klan go hand-in-hand!” is not just a slogan, but very much a social reality. The capitalist state is the enemy of the working class and oppressed. And while they will at times when they are not needed, suppress or stand neutral towards the fascists; the KKK, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists, they will always keep them in the wings as a force to crush social dissent and workers struggles.
Facing charges are Berkeley teacher Yvette Felarca and two indigenous activists, Michael Williams and Porfirio Paz. Felarca is facing a felony assault charge. We say: Hands off all anti-fascists protesters! Drop all charges now! Down with FBI COINTELPRO-type targeting of the left! We call for international mass protests and labor-centered actions to defend all anti-fascists!
No platform for fascists! Form up labor, black and brown self-defense guards! For mass labor, black and brown mobilizations to sweep the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists from the streets!
Communist Workers Group (CWG-USA)
