# Okay, now it's time to put antifa in the same class as racists **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 28, 2017, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922 "2017-08-28T10:38:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/281 "2017-09-05T23:21:47Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yes and no. It’s a problem in the sense of how to infiltrate and foil violent plots, but not so much in putting them on the list. Funny. Imagine Drumpf and Sessions trying to figure out how they will place a mole in the Antifa High Command … IF they can ever find Official Antifa Headquarters 🆒😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/282 "2017-09-06T05:54:36Z")
By now, there’s probably about twenty. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/283 "2017-09-06T13:24:26Z")
One of them is Mike Pence, who isn’t doing so well. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/284 "2017-09-06T14:41:23Z")
I’ve heard talk in some quarters about outlawing the wearing of mask at political events/protests. Six months of “Antifa” accomplishes what a hundred and fifty years of the Klan couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/285 "2017-09-06T14:45:13Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I’ve heard talk in some quarters about outlawing the wearing of mask at political events/protests. Six months of “Antifa” accomplishes what a hundred and fifty years of the Klan couldn’t. There’s never been “talk in some quarters” about this before? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/286 "2017-09-06T15:07:21Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I’ve heard talk in some quarters about outlawing the wearing of mask at political events/protests. Six months of “Antifa” accomplishes what a hundred and fifty years of the Klan couldn’t. [Lots of jurisdictions ban masks precisely because of the Klan](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/1999/unmasking-klan). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/287 "2017-09-06T15:15:12Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > [Lots of jurisdictions ban masks precisely because of the Klan](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/1999/unmasking-klan). For those who do not click on the link: > [@](#): > > At least 18 states have “anti-masking” laws that make it a crime to wear a mask in public. Most of the laws were passed between the 1920s and the 1950s, in reaction to waves of violence perpetrated by the Klan. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/288 "2017-09-06T17:19:54Z")
Well, you learn something new everyday. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/289 "2017-09-06T17:39:10Z")
[Here in South Carolina](http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c007.php): > [@](#): > > No person over sixteen years of age shall appear or enter upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road, public way or highway of this State or upon the public property of the State or of any municipality or county in this State while wearing a mask or other device which conceals his identity. Nor shall any such person demand entrance or admission to or enter upon the premises or into the enclosure or house of any other person while wearing a mask or device which conceals his identity. Nor shall any such person, while wearing a mask or device which conceals his identity, participate in any meeting or demonstration upon the private property of another unless he shall have first obtained the written permission of the owner and the occupant of such property. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/290 "2017-09-06T18:13:12Z")
That law must suck during Halloween. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/291 "2017-09-06T18:20:50Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That law must suck during Halloween. It did say people older than 16. I assume specifically for 15 and youngers to enjoy their halloween. I’d be more worried about a blizzard. I am not against such laws for protests, I do feel that antifa’s greatest weakness is the masks they wear. I feel that increases the chances of violence, both in the perceived anonymity that wearing a make gives you, but also because it is harder to police your own people. I tis easier for an outside agitator to get in your ranks and rile things up. Whether they are with your cause and just a bit more violent, or they have no cuase and just want to cause violence, or they are against your cause and want to discredit you, the masks make it easier. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/292 "2017-09-06T19:04:54Z")
Maybe, but I’m against the government legislating what clothes we are allowed to wear. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/293 "2017-09-06T20:05:09Z")
Abbie Hoffman did once say that he could always tell the undercover FBI guys because they were the ones calling the loudest for violence. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/294 "2017-09-06T21:44:54Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > It did say people older than 16. I assume specifically for 15 and youngers to enjoy their halloween. > > I’d be more worried about a blizzard. > > I am not against such laws for protests, I do feel that antifa’s greatest weakness is the masks they wear. I feel that increases the chances of violence, both in the perceived anonymity that wearing a make gives you, but also because it is harder to police your own people. I tis easier for an outside agitator to get in your ranks and rile things up. Whether they are with your cause and just a bit more violent, or they have no cuase and just want to cause violence, or they are against your cause and want to discredit you, the masks make it easier. - 10 trillion. I don’t see how any violence could continue if they just ditched the masks. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/295 "2017-09-06T22:29:42Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > - 10 trillion. > > I don’t see how any violence could continue if they just ditched the masks. [How quickly we forget.](https://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/04/04/a-flag-a-busing-fight-and-a-famous-photograph) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/296 "2017-09-06T22:55:00Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > [How quickly we forget.](https://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/04/04/a-flag-a-busing-fight-and-a-famous-photograph) Sure, as well as the skirmishes at the 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention, among a few other few and far between examples, but surely there’ll be considerably less chances for violence to break out if there’s no masks for people to hide behind, and especially for all the other reasons **k9bfriender** mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/297 "2017-09-06T23:02:39Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/298 "2017-09-06T23:44:49Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > For those who do not click on the link: It’s a good idea. 🆒 It will put a real crimp into the Klan clowns for sure. I always figured if you believe something strongly enough or if you just hate enough, do it in full view - don’t be a sneak or a coward about it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/299 "2017-09-07T08:52:38Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I’d be more worried about a blizzard. In South Carolina? Rare enough that most people are unlikely to own balaclavas, I would guess. ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/300 "2017-09-07T09:53:35Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t think _1984_ or _Animal Farm_ were written to oppose fascism. > [@MrDibble](#): > > No,\* Homage to Catalonia\* was. Not really. It was an account of his experiences in the civil war. In this book he is very much opposed to the Stalinists as well. It is fair to say he left Spain because of the Stalinist take-over. In the appendix he even tries to counter the western, pro-communist, press accounts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922.md?page=14)