Understanding Antifa’s Rise Among Youth

Antifa came into the spotlight during the riots of summer 2020. Many people find it puzzling how this group attracted so many young individuals, but domestic security expert Kyle Shideler has some insights into their approach.

“From a psychological standpoint, consider the evolution of their appearance. It’s like a ‘meth face’ campaign through 2020,” Shideler explains, noting that first-time arrests show individuals appearing relatively normal. However, with each subsequent arrest—well, you can see the noticeable decline over time. Five years later, many of these individuals look completely different, often struggling with issues like homelessness and addiction,” he adds.

“This fits into their affinity group structure, where people become drawn in. Essentially, it becomes their only social outlet. They mobilize these groups into the streets, aiming to lead them toward criminal behaviors—yes, even minor acts—hoping to further entrench them in the movement,” he describes.

Once they manage to involve students in even small infractions, they then set up support for those facing jail time. “You pay their bail and emphasize how much you care about them, assuring them the movement has their back. When they get out, they feel even more connected to the group. This dynamic was clearly observable throughout 2020,” Shideler notes.

“The overarching aim of these strategies,” he continues, “is for Antifa to gradually radicalize individuals through mass protests, effectively pushing them to more extreme actions.” It’s an interesting, if concerning, depiction of how group dynamics can influence personal choices.