Fascism has come to power in the United States. ICE is profiling and kidnapping people in their homes and on the streets. Cities are occupied by the National Guard. Trans people are being demonized and stripped of basic freedoms.
As the Trump Administration moves to consolidate absolute power and neutralize all opposition, it has pivoted to attacks on anti-fascists, presenting a narrative of the “enemy within” pulled directly from the pages of totalitarian histories. They intend to use this label as a catchall for anyone who opposes their authoritarian agenda—from grassroots activists, to independent journalists and left-leaning nonprofits.
Trump is obsessed with “antifa” because anti-fascism was a hugely popular banner uniting those who blocked the agenda of his first term. Anti-fascist researchers, educators, activists, and frontline militants were effective at defending their communities and beating back attacks by both the administration and its white supremacist shock troops.
At a time when traditional institutions have failed, we need a combative anti-fascism now more than ever.
Around the country, antifascists are taking action: interfering with ICE, sabotaging instruments of surveillance, confronting federalized troops, and organizing mutual aid for each other and their communities. In our community, those opposed to fascism have organized against book bans, developed sophisticated ICE verification networks, generated material support for Palestinian victims of genocide, and taken the lead in grassroots responses to Hurricane Helene. Rather than wait for these groups and individuals to be actively targeted by the federal government, we are calling for broad support now.
The government will try to turn us against each other, branding the boldest of us violent, and criminalizing our efforts to survive. We can't let them. From peaceful protesters to militant actionists, our lives depend on everyone becoming the enemy within.
At 6pm on Saturday, October 18th, we invite you to attend Asheville's No Kings protest wearing a red bandana in solidarity with anti-fascists in Appalachia and beyond.
The red bandana is a reminder that anti-fascism runs deep in Appalachia. It arose as a physical symbol of solidarity among multi-ethnic striking coal miners during the 1921 march that erupted into open conflict in West Virginia.
No kings! No fascists! Become the enemy within!
Endorsements
- Firestorm Books
- Asheville DSA
- Asheville Community Bail Fund
- Blue Ridge Anarchist Black Cross
- Mutual Aid Wellness Collective
- Asheville Alliance for Palestine Solidarity
- Rednecks Rising
- Appalachian Medical Solidarity
- Sumud Collective
- SALT Front