--- title: Antifa: Anti-Fascist Counterprotesters Attract Attention description: The violent clash on the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, cast a spotlight on groups of counter-protesters who were also in town. canonical: https://time.com/4899658/charlottesville-antifa-protests/ author: Katy Steinmetz article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-08-14T20:20:57.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:28:49.540Z article:section: Politics og:title: What Is Antifa? Anti-Fascist Protesters Draw Attention After Charlottesville og:description: President Trump appeared to allude to them. og:url: https://time.com/4899658/charlottesville-antifa-protests/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt711c8c6a2f621b4c/6988d9b20b72e3dd286ef07c/gettyimages-830767670.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 594 og:image:height: 334 og:image:alt: Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Emancipation Park to hurl insluts as white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering August 12, 2017 in Charlott og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: What Is Antifa? Anti-Fascist Protesters Draw Attention After Charlottesville twitter:description: President Trump appeared to allude to them. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt711c8c6a2f621b4c/6988d9b20b72e3dd286ef07c/gettyimages-830767670.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 03:24 video:published: 2017-08-14 section: politics topics: racist violence, white supremacy, neo-Nazis, Charlottesville aftermath, hate groups, equality under the law, law and order, national unity, law enforcement, condemnation of bigotry genre: news, speech, statement tones: solemn, condemnatory, unifying, resolute emotions: grief (medium), resolve (high), anger (medium), hope (medium) sentiment: neutral audience: general news viewers, political observers, Americans following the Charlottesville events, law enforcement community people: Donald Trump, Heather Hare, Jay Colin, Burt Bates organizations: KKK, Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, federal law enforcement agencies, Virginia State Police content_suitability: violence [00:00-00:24]; hate [00:24-01:19]; death [01:45-02:21]; crime [00:00-00:12]; politics [02:21-03:24]; tragedy [01:45-02:21] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # What Is Antifa? Anti-Fascist Protesters Draw Attention After Charlottesville > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. Senior correspondent Philip Elliott brings sharp context to the issues driving the capital, connecting the decisions made in Washington to the institutions, industries and people they affect. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=3d1b8002-6dd9-418b-9b7c-71b6b93733ab&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Trump Condemns White Supremacists Two Days After Charlottesville Violence [Watch (HLS stream): Trump Condemns White Supremacists Two Days After Charlottesville Violence](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/DUXWau5i.m3u8) (3:24)  _Published 2017-08-14. President Donald Trump sharply condemned racist, white supremacist, and neo-Nazi sympathizers on Monday afternoon, after nearly 48 hours of bipartisan criticism over his response to the weekend’s violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va._ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary President Donald Trump delivers a statement condemning racist violence, white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK following clashes in Charlottesville. He vows accountability for those who acted criminally and mourns Heather Heyer and two Virginia state troopers who died. He closes by calling for unity and reaffirming equality under the law and the Constitution. ## Key points - Trump says anyone who acted criminally in the weekend's racist violence will be held fully accountable and that justice will be delivered. (00:00) - He condemns the violence in the strongest possible terms, calling it an egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence with no place in America. (00:08) - Trump states that racism is evil and that those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs. (01:02) - He names the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups as repugnant to everything Americans hold dear. (01:06) - Trump says all Americans are created equal in the eyes of their creator, under the law, and under the Constitution. (01:24) - He mourns Heather Hare, a young American woman tragically killed two days earlier, and sends her family thoughts, prayers and love. (01:45) - He mourns Virginia state troopers Jay Colin and Burt Bates, who died in service to their commonwealth and country. (01:57) - Trump pledges to restore law and order, saying federal law enforcement agencies are following through and will spare no resource to end violence. (02:45) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:24] Vow of accountability for racist violence. Trump promises accountability for those who acted criminally and condemns the violence in strong terms. - [00:24 to 01:02] Calls for love and unity. Trump emphasizes equality under the same laws and urges Americans to unite in condemning hatred and bigotry. - [01:02 to 01:45] Naming hate groups and equality principles. Trump labels racism as evil, names the KKK and neo-Nazis, and grounds equality in the nation's founding principles. - [01:45 to 02:21] Tributes to the deceased. Trump mourns Heather Hare and the two Virginia state troopers and honors their sacrifice. - [02:21 to 03:24] Pledge of law enforcement and closing. Trump pledges to restore law and order and protect Americans' rights, then closes with a blessing. ## Key quotes - [00:00] Donald Trump: "To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence, you will be held fully accountable." - [01:02] Donald Trump: "Racism is evil." - [01:06] Donald Trump: "And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo- nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups" - [01:24] Donald Trump: "That all of us are created equal." - [02:21] Donald Trump: "As a candidate, I promise to restore law and order to our country" ## Questions this video answers - How does the President characterize racism and those who commit violence in its name? [01:02] - Which hate groups does the President specifically name in his condemnation? [01:06] - What does the President say about the equality of Americans? [01:24] - Who were the people killed in the weekend's violence that the President mourns? [01:45] - What does the President pledge to do regarding law enforcement and violence? [02:45] - What does the President say he wants for American children? [02:56] ## Content suitability - violence [00:00-00:24]: Discussion of racist violence that occurred over the weekend. - hate [00:24-01:19]: Condemnation of racism, white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK. - death [01:45-02:21]: Mourning of a woman killed and two state troopers who died. - crime [00:00-00:12]: References to criminal acts and promised prosecution. - politics [02:21-03:24]: Presidential pledge on law and order and federal enforcement. - tragedy [01:45-02:21]: Remembrance of fatalities from the weekend's clashes. by [Katy Steinmetz](https://time.com/author/katy-steinmetz/) ## Katy Steinmetz Aug 14, 2017 8:20 PM UTC President Donald Trump sharply condemned racist, white supremacist, and neo-Nazi sympathizers on Monday afternoon, after nearly 48 hours of bipartisan criticism over his response to the weekend’s violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va. by [Katy Steinmetz](https://time.com/author/katy-steinmetz/) ## Katy Steinmetz Aug 14, 2017 8:20 PM UTC The violent clash on the streets of Charlottesville, Va., that left one woman dead drew attention to white nationalist groups that organized to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. But it also cast a spotlight on groups of counter-protesters who came out to [oppose the rally](http://time.com/4898105/white-nationalist-rally-charlottesville/) on Aug. 12. While many of those who opposed the white nationalists were affiliated with mainstream organizations or there on their own behalf, a small number belonged to the so-called “antifa” movement that opposes extreme conservative ideologies. President Trump’s much-criticized initial statement that “hatred, bigotry and violence” in Charlottesville came from [“many sides”](http://time.com/4898422/charlottesville-white-nationalist-donald-trump/?xid=homepage) may have been an allusion to their presence. Here’s what you need to know about the movement. **What does “antifa” mean?** Antifa is short for anti-fascist. So what is a fascist? A textbook definition would be someone who is aggressively supportive of their nation and who may believe one race is superior to others. In the past, fascist regimes have been led by dictators with “[complete power](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/fascism?s=t)” that forced conformity to a particular viewpoint. Though the word comes from a political movement that began in Italy following the First World War, the word _fascist_ has been used more broadly since then to describe intolerant and oppressive behavior. Anti-fascists have been around about as long as fascists have. **What do antifa groups oppose these days?** There’s not one set answer. Anti-fascist groups have long [protested globalization](http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/07/535959974/flames-subside-but-protests-continue-as-g20-leaders-gather-for-hamburg-summit) in Europe. These days in the U.S., antifa protestors are often bound by an opposition to capitalism. Some may also describe themselves as anarchists, people who question authority on principle. Here is how one self-described antifa activist [explained the label to TIME](http://time.com/4800813/battle-berkeley-free-speech/): “The standard for antifa ideology is anti-capitalism, anti-fascism of course. Those are kind of the two main pillars, but within that, encompassed, it also comes with being anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-ableism, anti-transphobia, anything like that and just protecting people who are marginalized and oppressed.” Another said that antifa activists are simply “going against this idea that a certain group of elite get to have control over everybody else.” **Being against oppression doesn’t seem extreme. Why are these groups controversial?** In the name of fighting for those ideals — and putting a stop to “hate speech”—some antifa protestors will employ militant tactics or violent means such as vandalism. That happened at President Trump’s inauguration, where protesters busted out limousine windows. Later in the spring, antifa protesters in Berkeley, Calif., opposed a speech by right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos by breaking windows and starting fires, causing more than $100,000 of property damage. Some antifascist activists say that the media has sensationalized them by focusing such instances. And they point out that they have been [targets of violence](http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2017/04/19/anti-fascist-protester-targeted-by-trolls-after-video-shows-her-being-sucker-punched-at-pro-trump-rally/) themselves. **Is there an official antifa group?** No, there’s no antifa headquarters. And a person could describe themselves as antifa without being a member of any particular group. The antifa movement is a loose and informal one. But the label is becoming more visible, showing up in graffiti on college campuses and forums for grassroots organizers online. Some groups that identify as anti-fascist say they’ve seen upticks in interest since the alt-right has gained momentum following the election because people feel that “you have to pick a side,” as the national chair of a group called By Any Means Necessary [put it](http://time.com/4800813/battle-berkeley-free-speech/). **What’s with the black clothing?** Groups that identify as antifa may use a technique known as black bloc, which involves wearing black clothing and items like bandanas that shield one’s face—outfits that help people stay anonymous in a crowd. There can be philosophical reasons behind this, like a belief that hierarchies are bad and that remaining anonymous helps keep one’s ego in check. There are also practical reasons, like hiding one’s identity from protestors on the other side (who might [dox](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/not-playing-nice-doxing-and-swatting) people they disagree with) or from police and cameras. **Why are people talking about antifa and free speech?** Groups on the right have used events like the [protest in Berkeley](http://time.com/4800813/battle-berkeley-free-speech/) to paint antifa protestors as being out of control and acting as enemies of free speech, because they have mobilized in order to “shut down” speech that they disagree with. Politicians on the right and left have both criticized such tactics. In turn, antifa activists have argued that certain types of speech are themselves violent or bound to cause violence if they are uttered in the public sphere. They have also said that alt-right groups are using the words “free speech” as cover for spreading racist and bigoted ideologies. Trump [condemned](http://time.com/4899810/donald-trump-charlottesville/?xid=homepage) such notions on Monday, after days of pressure to speak out more forcefully following the death in Charlottesville. “Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs,” Trump said, “including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups.” ## Transcript [00:00] To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist [00:03] violence, you will be held fully accountable. [00:08] Justice will be delivered. As I said [00:12] on Saturday, we condemn in the strongest possible [00:16] terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, [00:20] and violence It has no place in [00:24] America and as I have said many time before no [00:29] matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same [00:33] laws. We all salute the same great [00:37] flag and we are all made by the same [00:41] All mighty god. We must love [00:46] each other, show affection for each other and unite [00:49] together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry [00:54] and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love [00:58] and loyalty that bring us together as Americans. [01:02] Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its [01:06] name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, [01:11] neo- nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups [01:15] that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as [01:19] Americans. We are a nation founded on the truth. [01:24] That all of us are created equal. We are equal [01:28] in the eyes of our creator. We are equal under the law. [01:32] And we are equal under our constitution. Those [01:37] who spread violence in the name if bigotry strike at the [01:41] very core of America. Two days ago young american [01:45] woman Heather Hare was tragically killed. Her [01:50] death fills us with grief and we sent her family our [01:53] thoughts, our prayers and our love. We [01:57] also mourn the two Virgina's state troopers who died [02:01] in service to the community, their commonwealth in [02:04] their country. Troopers Jay Colin and Burt Bates [02:09] exemplify the very best of America and our hearts [02:13] go out to their families, their friends and every [02:16] member of American law enforcement. These [02:21] three fallen Americans embody the goodness and [02:23] decency Of our nation. In times such [02:28] as these, America has always shown its true [02:32] character. Responding to hate with love, division [02:36] with unity and violence with an unwavering resolve For [02:41] justice. As a candidate, I promise to restore [02:45] law and order to our country, and to our federal law [02:48] enforcement agencies, are following through on that [02:51] pledge. We will spare no resource, in fighting, [02:56] so that every American child can grow up free from [03:00] violence, and fear We will defend and protect the [03:04] sacred rights of all Americans and we will work [03:07] together so that every citizen in this blessed land is [03:12] free to follow their dreams in their hearts and to [03:15] express the love and joy in their souls. [03:20] Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4899658/charlottesville-antifa-protests/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4899658/charlottesville-antifa-protests/"},"headline":"What Is Antifa? 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