Background
Anarchist/Anti-Fascist extremists share the belief that society should exist absent of “oppressive” governments, laws, policies, police, or any other authorities. They will advocate for violence to challenge and dismantle perceived authoritarian laws, capitalism, racist, sexists, and globalist policies. They typically lack central leadership and organizational hierarchy. Extremists often exploit societal disputes, political issues, and criminal incidents to conduct violent protests, gain notoriety, and target their political opponents.
Frequent targets include commercial and financial institutions, government agencies, politicians, and law enforcement. Molotov cocktails, incendiary devices, and vandalism remain common attack methods. Extremists will likely congregate in nearby cities to coordinate with like-minded supporters, occupy a designated protest site, and stockpile various weapons.
Black Bloc Tactics
Extremists will use black bloc tactics that involve dressing in black clothing and wearing masks and scarves to conceal one’s identity and to protect against tear gas during violent counter protest demonstrations, riots, and acts of vandalism. Extremists will also create human barricades or use heavy objects during violent demonstrations to protect a large group of protesters from law enforcement efforts to conduct arrests and disperse protestors.
Anarchist/Anti-Fascist Extremists Symbols
Anarchist extremists use the Circle A as one of their primary symbols. “A” represents “anarchism,” while “O” stands for “order.” Together, the letters mean “society seeks order in anarchy,” which stems from 19th century French literature.
The red flag was one of the first anarchist symbols and was used until the 1917 October Revolution in Russia when it became primarily associated with communist ideologies.
Since the late 19th century, anarchist groups have used the black flag as a rejection of the concept of representation or the idea that an institution can adequately represent a group of individuals.
Extremists adopted the anti-fascist (Antifa) flag which combines the black anarchist flag and a red socialist flag.
Threat to New Jersey: Moderate
Anarchist/Anti-fascist extremists in New Jersey will likely travel to demonstrations in neighboring states to exploit peaceful protests, damage private and public property, and attack law enforcement in opposition of governments, corporations, and various political movements.
In January 2024, authorities arrested Andrew and Angelo Hatziagelis in Queens, New York, after officials discovered various weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ghost guns in their residence. During a search of their home, officials found anarchist propaganda and a hit list containing the names of law enforcement and government officials.
In June 2023, Brian and Krystal DiPippa, using homemade smoke bombs and large fireworks, disrupted an event at the University of Pittsburgh. Law enforcement found a red and black diagonally divided flag, which is associated with anarchist extremists, at their residence. Prosecutors charged the couple with conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement.
In December 2020, Antifa-affiliated anarchist extremists, including a resident of Farmingdale (Monmouth County), vandalized the Philadelphia-based U.S. Customs House, Federal Detention Center, and Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building. Authorities charged seven individuals with attempted arson, having an incendiary device, and conspiracy.
US Nexus
In April 2024, authorities arrested Kyle Calvert for detonating an IED filled with nails outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Calvert placed stickers on various state buildings with phrases including, “Support your antifa,” and previously posted anti-fascist (Antifa) content on social media where he “expressed his belief that violence should be directed against the government.”
In February 2024, authorities arrested and charged John Robert Mazurek with first-degree arson for using an incendiary device to destroy eight Atlanta Police Department motorcycles in a southeastern Atlanta police precinct’s parking deck. Local authorities linked the attack, along with two dozen acts of arson, to extremists protesting the construction of Atlanta’s police training center.
In December 2023, authorities arrested and charged Seth Brock Spigner with arson in the second degree for setting fire to a concrete company’s trucks. Authorities discovered multiple trucks at the property had red spray-painted written messages opposing the construction of Atlanta’s police training center. One of the messages included, “You build it, We burn it.”
In May 2023, authorities arrested and charged three anti-fascist (Antifa) anarchist extremists, who opposed the construction of an Atlanta police training center, with harassment and misdemeanor stalking of an Atlanta police officer, who had previous involvement in a fatal shooting of a group member. The three suspects reportedly distributed flyers containing the officer’s personal information and residential address.
Atlanta police motorcycles targeted in Atlanta, Georgia.
