SEATTLE, WA - On Nov. 4, protesters allied with the website RefuseFascism.org will partake in anti-Trump rallies across the U.S., including in Seattle. An antifascist group - also known as antifa - will protest at the same time in the same location. But local RefuseFascism.org protest organizers say the two events are unrelated.
Patch reported earlier this week about rumors that antifa "super-soldiers" are planning to rise up on Saturday and start a war against the government - a false claim propagated by right-wing bloggers. However, an antifascist rally, called "Stand Up To Trump, Fight White Supremacy," kicks off at Seattle City Hall at noon Saturday.
The RefuseFascism.org event also starts at noon Saturday at City Hall. But, it's organized by the nonmilitant left-wing groups Indivisible North Seattle, Mount Baker Indivisible, and Seattle Gay News. Antifa has mixed with more mainstream groups like Indivisible at anti-Trump protests in Seattle this year, but the two groups don't share many political views (except being anti-Trump).
RefuseFascism.org wants Nov. 4 to be the beginning of a peaceful occupation movement that lasts until Trump and Mike Pence are removed from office.
"We will not be intimidated. In the name of humanity, on November 4th we will launch a movement of growing mass, nonviolent political protests that do not stop until our demand is met: 'This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go!' We speak for millions and are acting in the name of humanity, declaring that 'We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America,'" spokeswoman Sunsara Taylor wrote in a recent press release this week.
Whichever event you plan to attend (or not attend), that whole antifa super-soldier thing is still totally made up.
Photo: Seattle police clear Westlake Park in downtown Seattle on May 1, 2017, also known as May Day.
File photo via Neal McNamara/Patch
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