The left-leaning anti-fascist movement—or Antifa—has been around for decades, popping up in North America and Europe in response to rising white nationalist or fascist sentiments. Now, Antifa has made a resurgence in the US, where members clad in masks and nondescript black clothing physically confront groups of white supremacists and neo-Nazis who’ve started organizing in cities around the country.
Since the 2016 presidential election, Antifa has become a staple at alt-right and Trump-related rallies that often result in violence. VICE met up with a few Antifa activists in Philadelphia who engage in “Black Bloc” actions to find out more about their ideology, tactics, and individual reasons for participating in a high-risk form of activism.
Related
Peter Sobat
Peter Sobat holds an MFA in Digital Technology and has spent the past 20 years working across media and digital content. He has created multiple breakout series and platforms, including The SmokeBox, GGN News Network, The Devin the Dude Show, HipHopDX, and Live with Steve Lobel.
His work spans development and production for major networks and cultural icons, with content created for CBS, MTV, ABC, ESPN, FOX, and Discovery Channel, as well as artists Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Bone Thugs, Cypress Hill, YG, Dogg Pound, and Wu-Tang Clan. Through his creative agency, Peter has guided brands such as Doobieville, BrealTV, VladTV, Weedmaps, Adidas, Ford, and Cookies. He is the founder of Blurred Culture, The Bakerie and The DOPI.