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

IV 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR272.IH HR272 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 272 IH 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, in- juring 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 anar- chists; Whereas members of Antifa have physically assaulted a num- ber 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 de- clared an ‘‘unlawful assembly’’ of some 150 demonstra- tors 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 Molo- tov cocktails, knives, batons, chemical spray, and a crow- bar 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR272.IH HR272 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 272 IH 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 presi- dential 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 in- volve 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 civil- ian population; or acts to affect the conduct of a govern- ment 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 cele- brated and shared peacefully with one another or dem- onstrated 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR272.IH HR272 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 272 IH (1) calls for Antifa and any groups and mem- 1 bers of the same organization, who act under the 2 banner of Antifa to be designated as domestic ter- 3 rorist organizations; 4 (2) unequivocally condemns the violent actions 5 of Antifa groups; and 6 (3) calls upon the Federal Government to com- 7 bat the spread of all forms of domestic terrorism. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Mar 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR272.IH HR272 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS