A resolution calling for the designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 279 Calling for the designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JULY 18, 2019 Mr. CASSIDY (for himself and Mr. CRUZ) 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, because they believe that free speech is equivalent to violence, have used threats of vio- lence 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 members of Antifa have physically assaulted jour- nalists and other individuals during protests and riots in Berkeley, California; Whereas in February of 2018, journalist Andy Ngo was in- timidated and threatened with violence by protestors af- filiated with Antifa; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:22 Jul 18, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR279.IS SR279 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 279 IS Whereas, on June 29, 2019, while covering demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, journalist Andy Ngo was physically at- tacked by protestors affiliated with Antifa; Whereas employees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘ICE’’) were subjected to doxxing and violent threats after their social media profiles, phone numbers, and home address- es were posted on the internet by left wing activists; Whereas according to the Wall Street Journal, an ICE officer was followed by left wing activists and ‘‘confronted when he went to pick up his daughter from summer camp’’, and another ‘‘had his name and photo plastered on flyers outside his home accusing him of being part of the ‘Ge- stapo’ ’’; Whereas the ICE office in southwest Portland, Oregon, was shut down for days due to threats and occupation by Antifa members; Whereas Rose City Antifa, an Antifa group founded in 2007 in Portland, Oregon, explicitly rejects the authority of law enforcement officers in the United States, and Fed- eral, State, and local governments, to protect free speech and stop acts of violence; Whereas Rose City Antifa rejects the civil treatment of indi- viduals the group labels as fascists, stating: ‘‘We can’t just argue against them; we have to prevent them from organizing by any means necessary.’’; and Whereas there is no place for violence in the discourse be- tween people in the United States, or in any civil society, because the United States is a place where there is a di- versity of ideas and opinions: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:22 Jul 18, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR279.IS SR279 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 279 IS (1) calls for the groups and organizations 1 across the country who act under the banner of 2 Antifa to be designated as domestic terrorist organi- 3 zations; 4 (2) unequivocally condemns the violent actions 5 of Antifa groups as unacceptable acts for anyone in 6 the United States; 7 (3) expresses the need for the peaceful commu- 8 nication of varied ideas in the United States; 9 (4) urges any group or organizations in the 10 United States to voice its opinions without using vio- 11 lence or threatening the health, safety, or well-being 12 of any other persons, groups, or law enforcement of- 13 ficers in the United States; and 14 (5) calls upon the Federal Government to re- 15 double its efforts, using all available and appropriate 16 tools, to combat the spread of all forms of domestic 17 terrorism, including White supremacist terrorism. 18 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:22 Jul 18, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR279.IS SR279 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS