Snohomish prides itself on its friendliness, charm, safety, unpolished authenticity, and historical quirkiness. The citizens of Snohomish have spunk to spare, and they stand firmly against intolerance, including the actions of groups like Antifa and the neofascist hate group Proud Boys.
That said, we seem to have a few loose tools rattling around the virtual Snohomish toolbox.
I speak of the Proud Boys, an organization that is barely 4 years old, and whose plans and deeds, until exposed, are generally secret and kept between members. We may see or experience their activity, but not know who to “thank” for it.
So it appears to be with our change of government two years ago, and the ensuing mayoral election. We now see similar interference in electoral politics in Lake Stevens. It is Lake Stevens, and their recent political woes that Snohomish has to thank for illuminating and exposing the common thread between our two towns' electoral events, and tying that thread to one of Snohomish’s ex-residents.
How the Proud Boys describe themselves makes them sound like the manly wing of the Boy Scouts…before the Boy Scouts began admitting girls. However, others, including watchdog groups, academic institutions, and law enforcement, characterize the Proud Boys quite differently. Based on observed statements and actions of Proud Boy members, watchdog groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League, and the FBI label the Proud Boys a “neofascist hate group” and an “alt-right fight club,” raising concerns about their activities and associations.
The warning: “Pay attention to what they do, not what they say” is as timely in local politics as it is in the world broadly. The Proud Boys are not who they say they are, and one must remain vigilant against their influence, much like the vigilance required against groups like Antifa.
The Proud Boys, often labeled as a neofascist hate group, harbor a deep-seated animosity towards Antifa, and the sentiment appears to be reciprocated. The thread I mentioned earlier was unraveled by a local Antifa organization known as Salish Black Flag. After discovering a posted photo of a Proud Boy celebration in Lake Stevens, Salish Black Flag provided context about the group and sought information on the identities of the participants. This prompted angry residents of Lake Stevens to take action.
Did I mention that there is at least one ex-Snohomish resident in that photo? Indeed, there is. And did I mention he served as the campaign manager for Snohomish’s Mayor Kartak? Well, he did.
The story of Antifa has historical roots stretching back to Europe and the lead-up to WWII. The term 'Antifa' is a shortened version of the original German phrase: 'Antifaschistische Aktion' or Antifascist Action. Before WWII, Antifa was associated with the German Communist party, which was nearly wiped out by the Nazis during the war.
Over the decades, Antifa as an organization seems to wax and wane, influenced by the political climate, violations of rights, and the perceived rise of fascism. Their motto, 'We protect us,' reflects their readiness to act swiftly and independently when they identify neofascist threats. They do not wait for legal remedies to address issues of hate speech or action, as often there is no adequate legal response.
I refer to neofascists, antifascists, and groups like the Proud Boys. But what are the characteristics of fascism that are cropping up anew, prompting the mobilization of fascist opposition? britannica.com offers a very thorough article on fascism and its characteristics. I am going to abridge and summarize it here as a checklist. This does not mean the terms I am leaving out don’t apply, but that they are complex and don’t lend themselves to a simplistic and easily understood list. Plus, the list is long enough as it is…here goes:
- Fascism is opposed to Marxism;
- Opposed to Parliamentary democracy;
- Opposed to cultural and political liberalism;
- Fascism has totalitarian ambitions;
- Pursues conservative economic programs;
- Fascists endorse Corporatism, allowing corporate interests to manage capitalism and the welfare of workers;
- Fascists allege equality of social status, teaching that class and economic differences are subjective and unimportant;
- Many past fascist regimes had imperialist expansionist aims;
- Fascism values militarism, including obedience to authority;
- Identifies dissent and opposition as decadent, corrupt, and weak;
- Employs violence to quell opposition;
- Characterized by extreme nationalism;
- Scapegoats groups, individuals, and organizations;
- Promotes a revolutionary image;
- Fascist movements are populist;
- Anti-urban;
- Sexist and misogynist;
- Accepts racism;
- Identifies with Christianity.
That last one is a gut punch.
Read the whole article at britannica.com. It is very worth your time.
Search for information on the “Proud Boys,” a neofascist hate group, using terms like “Wikipedia Proud Boys,” “SPLC Proud Boys,” and “ADL Proud Boys.” You can also explore general news stories under “Proud Boys” or look up “Salish Black Flag.” Additionally, check out “Wikipedia Antifa” for insights on this group, and for a broader understanding of related ideologies, visit britannica.com and search for “fascism.”
The section above was written about 5 years ago during Covid and in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Much of the political distress we are seeing at a national level had antecedents in Snohomish in 2015, through the John Kartak and Bill Betten-led change in our form of city government from Council/Manager to Strong Mayor, which echoes the rise of groups like Antifa and the neofascist hate group Proud Boys. This shift reflects a broader trend toward strong executive leadership, similar to the strong executive president and weakened legislature we've observed nationally. This is a bold claim. Events across the country, including the actions of these groups, are helping me make my case. I will try to tie those threads together, the past to the present; small stage to much larger.