After the violence against supporters of President Donald Trump over the weekend, the mayor of Berkeley, Jesse Arreguin, wants to classify the left extremist group Antifa as a gang.
The mainstream media tried for along time to paint Antifa as counter-protesters to white supremacists and Nazis. But following the weekend in Berkeley, it is clear that they, like the other groups, and a violent, extremist group.
Arreguin spoke to KPIX 5 Monday, saying, “I think we should classify them as a gang. They come dressed in uniforms. They have weapons, almost like a militia and I think we need to think about that in terms of our law enforcement approach.”
“I think we are going to have to think ‘big picture’ about what is the strategy for how we are going to deal with these violent elements on the left as well,” he added.
Leading up to the event, organizers made sure to discourage extremist groups from attending, but made the mistake of only naming far-right groups.
“White supremacists and fascists are not welcome. And if the state is not going to protect us — and if they do not — then we are going to protect ourselves and welcome those who stand with us,” said Sarah Kershner, who works for the public interest law group National Lawyers Guild.
But the groups she named weren’t the problem, proving the importance of recognizing extremist groups from all sides as dangerous.
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham also called for Antifa to labeled as a terrorist organization, according to the Daily Caller.
Extremism is not a welcome ideology in America, and it is vital to denounce extremism of ALL kinds, regardless of their political leanings.
–The Horn editorial team