US designates four European anti-fascist groups as terrorist threats

"The US state department has announced that it will designate four European self-described anti-fascist groups as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, as the Trump administration broadens its campaign against what it portrays as an international wave of leftist violence. In a public statement on Thursday, the state department said it would designate Antifa Ost in Germany, the Italy-based International Revolutionary Front, and two organisations in Greece Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self Defense as Specially Designated Global Terrorists conspiring to undermine the foundations of Western Civilization through their brutal attacks."

"The designation was the first time that antifa groups had been deemed a foreign terrorist threat, allowing law enforcement to use more aggressive techniques to oppose them. It also could extend to those deemed leftist supporters of the groups in the United States, allowing federal authorities to use similar surveillance and financial oversight tools against US citizens."

"Groups affiliated with this movement ascribe to revolutionary anarchist or Marxist ideologies, including anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism' and anti-Christianity, using these to incite and justify violent assaults domestically and overseas, secretary of state Marco Rubio said in a statement. The administration's press release described incidents including the use of homemade explosive devices, shootings and hammer attacks as the cause for the listing."

The US State Department announced designation of four European self-described anti-fascist groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The named groups are Antifa Ost (Germany), the International Revolutionary Front (Italy), Armed Proletarian Justice (Greece), and Revolutionary Class Self Defense (Greece). The designation labels them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists accused of conspiring to undermine Western Civilization through violent attacks. The move allows law enforcement to use more aggressive techniques and could extend surveillance and financial restrictions to US supporters. Officials cited revolutionary anarchist and Marxist ideologies and incidents involving homemade explosives, shootings and hammer attacks. Financial transactions with the groups would become criminal.

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