Mark Bray, an assistant professor at Rutgers University, known informally as “Dr. Antifa” by students, left the United States for Spain on Thursday evening due to death threats sparked by accusations of his association with Antifa.
A campus chapter of Turning Point USA, along with other conservative groups, has accused Bray of being involved with Antifa and has initiated a petition requesting his dismissal, as reported by The Associated Press.
Bray, who specializes in leftist history and is recognized as an expert on the anti-fascist movement, maintains that he is not associated with Antifa, which has been labeled a terrorist group by the Trump administration.
“I’m not currently a member of any anti-fascist or anti-racist organization. I just don’t belong. I’m a professor,” Bray stated in an interview, as mentioned in a report.
He and his family departed from Newark Liberty International Airport for Spain, following an initial denial of boarding, which he shared on social media.
Some conservative students have described Bray as a potential threat to campus safety.
“We have teachers who often endorse political violence, especially in their book ‘Antifa: An Anti-Fascist Handbook,’ which discusses militant fascism linked to political violence,” remarked student Megan Doyle.
The Hill has sought comments from Rutgers regarding the situation.
Critics, especially conservatives, claim Bray had donated to Antifa by promising to allocate 50% of the earnings from his 2017 book to the International Antifascist Defense Fund.
Bray, however, argued that these donations were intended for legal and medical aid for those involved in anti-fascism and anti-racism efforts, asserting that the Antifa groups cited do not have unified leadership.
He indicated that the petition against him, along with Trump’s executive order classifying Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, heightened threats he faced and prompted his departure from the U.S.
In his executive order, Trump stated Antifa is a “domestic terrorist organization,” allowing the investigation of individuals who provide any level of support to it.
“Individuals linked to and acting on behalf of Antifa will further coordinate with other organizations to incite and promote political violence,” the order noted, emphasizing the coercive and intimidating tactics as a form of domestic terrorism.
When Bray and his family attempted to leave for Spain on Wednesday, they were denied boarding and their reservation was canceled at the last moment.
“Someone canceled my family’s flight out at the last minute,” he shared on Blue Sky. “I got my boarding pass, checked my bag, went through security, and then my reservation ‘disappeared’ at the gate.”
His plans to leave the country were initially reported by NJ.com, and eventually, the airline managed to rebook them on a Thursday flight, which they boarded successfully.
Turning Point USA maintains that it does not endorse threats or the release of personal information. Nonetheless, students supporting Bray are calling for the closure of the Rutgers chapter of the organization.
The petition against that chapter accuses it of endorsing hate speech which has resulted in a hostile environment with serious repercussions.
The Hill has reached out to TPUSA for further comment.
