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The Problem is Fascists, Not Those Who Stand Up To Them

Dolack, Pete
http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/09/15/the-problem-is-fascists-not-those-who-stand-up-to-them/

Publisher:  CounterPunch
Date Written:  15/09/2017
Year Published:  2017  
Resource Type:  Article

The ongoing debate of recent weeks around how, or if, to confront demonstrations of white supremacists and fascists is the latest manifestation of arguments the Left and liberals have been having for many years. For this is not simply a question of tactics but incorporates broader ideas of how we conceptualize the threat from the extreme Right.

Abstract: 
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The problem with liberal-pacifist responses is that, if adopted, the only result would be to embolden the fascists. The white-nationalist gangs behind the Charlottesville rally unmistakably intended to intimidate. Remember that another demonstration was scheduled for Boston the following weekend and several others were planned. Instead, because they were confronted in Charlottesville, their Boston rally became a fiasco for them and appearances in other locations were called off. Communities showed what they think of them. The result for speaks for itself.

The foremost problem with liberal-pacifist responses is that it tells people they have no right to defend themselves. That should be rejected, emphatically. The violence of hate-mongers like those carrying the torches in Charlottesville and any violence that is used in defense by people who have no choice but to physically defend themselves has no equivalence. Should people have just stood there and allowed violence to be perpetrated against them and allow gangs of white supremacists and fascists to intimidate the majority -- the vast majority -- into silence? Do we really need to ponder this question?

Fighting back needn’t be physical, and generally does not need to be if there are sufficient counter-forces.

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