Title: Calling for the designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
This resolution calls for antifa and groups acting under the banner of antifa to be designated as domestic terrorist organizations.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 272 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 272

     Calling for the designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist 
                             organization.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2021

 Mrs. Boebert (for herself, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Biggs, 
Mr. Good of Virginia, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Gohmert, Mrs. Miller of 
  Illinois, Mr. Roy, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Steube, and Mr. Hice of Georgia) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Calling for the designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist 
                             organization.

Whereas members of Antifa have used threats of violence in the pursuit of 
        suppressing opposing political ideologies;
Whereas Antifa represents opposition to the democratic ideals of peaceful 
        assembly and free speech for all;
Whereas some have attempted to dismiss Antifa as a ``myth'' or simply ``an 
        idea'';
Whereas the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration 
        formally labeled Antifa efforts as ``domestic terrorist violence'';
Whereas Antifa declares its opposition to police forces;
Whereas members of Antifa laid siege for over 60 days to the Mark O. Hatfield 
        United States Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, on dates May 29, 2020, to 
        August 19, 2020, injuring over 250 Federal officers and agents, defaced 
        and targeted Federal buildings and Federal law enforcement sworn to 
        protect those properties and published personal lodging details of 
        Federal law enforcement officers;
Whereas, over the summer of 2020, the Department of Homeland Security sent law 
        enforcement personnel to protect Federal facilities in Portland, Oregon, 
        after 50 continuous nights of criminal violence committed by anarchists;
Whereas members of Antifa have physically assaulted a number of journalists and 
        other individuals during protests, peaceful demonstrations, riots, and 
        other political events across the country;
Whereas, on the weekend of January 23 and January 24, 2021, Officers from the 
        Federal Protective Service declared an ``unlawful assembly'' of some 150 
        demonstrators calling for an end to deportations outside a Federal 
        Immigrations and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon, and 
        tear gas was required to clear the protesters.
Whereas at least eight people were arrested and charged with felonies and 
        various weapons were seized, including Molotov cocktails, knives, 
        batons, chemical spray, and a crowbar in connection with the events;
Whereas, the same weekend, some 150 people also gathered in Tacoma, Washington, 
        carrying flags that read, ``Antifascist Action'', displayed antipolice 
        and Antifa messages, and at least two people armed with a handgun and 
        knives were arrested;
Whereas, on January 27, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security issued a 
        National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin warned of a heightened 
        threat environment due to ``ideologically-motivated extremists with 
        objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the 
        presidential transition as well as other perceived grievances fueled by 
        false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit 
        violence'';
Whereas the Bulletin made no mention of Antifa, the term ``false narratives'' is 
        nowhere defined, and the particular incidents referenced go 
        unidentified;
Whereas section 2331 of title 18, United States Code, defines ``domestic 
        terrorism'' to mean, in part, activities that involve acts dangerous to 
        human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United 
        States or of any State; acts that appear or intend to intimidate or 
        coerce a civilian population; or acts to affect the conduct of a 
        government by mass destruction; and that these activities occur 
        primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States;
Whereas there is no place for violence in the disagreements between people in 
        the United States; and
Whereas the diversity of ideas and opinions should be celebrated and shared 
        peacefully with one another or demonstrated peacefully through the 
        rights provided in the First Amendment of the United States 
        Constitution: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls for Antifa and any groups and members of the same 
        organization, who act under the banner of Antifa to be 
        designated as domestic terrorist organizations;
            (2) unequivocally condemns the violent actions of Antifa 
        groups; and
            (3) calls upon the Federal Government to combat the spread 
        of all forms of domestic terrorism.
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