Mark Bray is a historian of human rights, terrorism, and political radicalism in Modern Europe, and was an organizer of Occupy Wall Street. His scholarship delves into radical political movements and their historical roots. Bray's analyses provide deep insight into the nature and evolution of political dissent.
Focusing on the transnational human rights campaigns, this narrative history explores the response to the Spanish state's violent repression of the workers' movement during the early twentieth century. It highlights the impact of anarchist propaganda and the collective efforts to combat state violence, showcasing the intersection of activism and human rights in a turbulent historical context.
Focused and persuasive, this book serves as the first English-language transnational history of antifa, a guide for aspiring activists, and a collection of insights from anti-fascist organizers. Mark Bray fills the roles of spokesman, intellectual, and apologist, offering a methodical analysis informed by his historical training and extensive organizing experience. The book's most enlightening aspect is its historical overview of anti-fascist efforts over the past century, while its contemporary relevance lies in its justification for stifling hate speech and confronting white supremacists. Bray presents an accessible genealogy of today's militant anti-fascist movement, defending controversial tactics and challenging the liberal belief that democratic institutions alone can prevent fascism. With urgency, the book evaluates the movement and calls for action, especially in light of recent events like the Charlottesville attack. It provides historical context for antifa's resurgence in the U.S. and serves as an educational tool for those opposing fascism and white supremacy. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need to organize against fascism proactively, making it essential reading in the current political climate.
