Professor Mark Bray’s Controversial Views on Antifa

Mark Bray, a professor at Rutgers University often referred to as “Dr. Antifa,” fled the United States for Spain, citing threats to his family after his address was disclosed. His views, prominently featured in his book, portray the sharing of personal information as a tactic against political foes.

Bray, who teaches history online from Spain, gained recognition for his 2017 publication, Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook. This work is drawn from interviews with over sixty anti-fascist activists across 17 countries, and it positively addresses the concept of privacy three times.

In his book, Bray quotes Rasmus Preston, a Danish interviewee, highlighting that intelligence records can create “constant psychological strain” within far-right factions. He cites a notable instance where Antifa Nebraska successfully pressured a political rival into hiding by disseminating his personal details widely.

The appendices of Bray’s book feature advice from interviewees aimed at Antifa participants. One contributor, identified as Brett A, endorses gathering personal information as part of Antifa’s political strategies. He suggests that a diverse team brings various skills, from physical confrontation to intelligence gathering and graphic design, enhancing the group’s effectiveness.

Bray’s narrative includes discussions on violence as a tactic. He asserts that anti-fascism encompasses various approaches, including intelligence and physical confrontation.

Interestingly, Bray presents the term “far-right” rather vaguely, suggesting it could morph into something more extreme over time. He expresses his opposition to the Trump administration and maintains that moments of unrest, like the Ferguson riots following Michael Brown’s death, illuminated issues of police brutality.

In his exploration of historical anti-fascist groups from the 1970s, Bray paints a picture of extremism, spotlighting the violent actions of these groups while justifying them using contemporary leftist arguments.

He critiques those he labels “liberal antifascists,” arguing they place too much faith in public discourse and governmental systems to curb fascist ideologies. He also touches upon his support for internet censorship of racist content, claiming anti-fascists need to leverage platforms for their advantage.

Bray’s departure from the U.S. was prompted by threats he faced after President Trump announced a move to designate Antifa as a domestic terrorist group. Following this, a petition from Turning Point USA aimed at having him dismissed from his position gained traction.

Despite multiple attempts to reach him for comments, Bray has not provided a response.