Illegal acts
Fascism comes in many guises. Brown shirts, storm troopers, hooded men with guns, and gangs of bullies with torches are all well-known, recognizable images. These are superficial expressions of efforts to dominate and control the lives of people. These forces are made possible by a complex network of laws, actions, and attitudes fostered by those seeking authoritarian control.
The billionaire class supporting the drive to remake the USA into a white Christian nationalist empire embracing pre-Civil War mores is anything but subtle. Still, their efforts to erode our collective willingness to resist this drive are intensifying through an ever-expanding cloak of legal actions. Most recently, those actions have centered on the prosecution of people who have organized in support of the Palestinian people.
This week, the forces for freedom had a small victory when a federal judge in Detroit released the four young people who appeared in court on DOJ charges of criminal conspiracy and terrorism on bond. The judge rejected efforts by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maggie Smith, who described the four “as part of a radical network that consumes propaganda from the terrorist group Hamas, amplifies its symbols and messages, and holds in contempt Israel, America, law enforcement and the court system.”
Attorneys for the young people pointed out that they have known for months that they are being investigated, yet none have fled the state, and all are engaged in study and have community ties.
There is a long road ahead for these young people, and the consequences are severe, not only for them but for all those who believe that ideas matter, that our ability to participate fully in public life often takes the form of actions that are disruptive, disturbing, and challenging.
But their experience is part of the expanding tenacles of fascism. Last year, the federal government filed a record high 133 cases accusing individuals of a variety of “threats.” This year is expected to exceed that number.
This week in Minnesota, federal prosecutors announced criminal charges against 15 people in connection with anti-ICE protests in the Twin Cities. Amy Goodman reported:
The defendants are accused of “conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers” and of allegedly “violently” impeding immigration enforcement in Minneapolis during Trump’s so-called Operation Metro Surge, during which thousands of federal immigration agents were deployed and fatally shot two U.S. citizens.
The indictment focuses on Direct Action Minnesota, or DAMN, a broad activist coalition that prosecutors have linked to anti-fascist, or “antifa,” groups. Last fall, President Trump categorized antifa as a “domestic terror organization” even though it is not an actual group.
Kat Abughazaleh, who was charged with protesting ICE detentions in Chicago earlier in the year, said, “We need to be asking how they got this indictment. And as charges (hopefully) get dropped, we must remember the process is the punishment.”
These actions on the federal level are often boldly illegal, as in the case of the prosecution of Ms. Abughazaleh and the “Broadview Six.” Here, the federal government intimidated grand jury members and altered transcripts. The charges and illegal actions are intended to spread fear, not necessarily gain a court victory.
These illegal maneuvers are supported by an expanding series of local laws designed to silence people. On June 9, the Michigan State House passed a bill to create a “buffer zone” of 25 feet around any first responder. House Bill No. 5574 makes it a felony to “interfere” or “harass” a police officer in the performance of their duties, after a verbal warning.
Given the distortions of law on the federal level, we should have no illusions about the intent of this recent effort in our state. All of us need to call upon our state senators to reject this effort.
Fascism fears our ability to speak out, stand up, resist, and create new connections. The path toward creating a more human future requires nothing less.