Prof: Antifa symphathizer set to speak on 9/11 anniversary 'at the campus where I teach'
Bray has previously defended the use of violence a "legitimate response" to extremist views and Antifa has used violence in many of its protests.
Bucknell University professor Alexander Riley wrote in a piece published Monday that Antifa sympathizer Mark Bray is set to speak at his school.
The reported event comes on the eve of the 18th anniversary of the violent Sept. 11 attacks.
A Bucknell Univerisity professor wrote in an op-ed published Monday that his school has invited former Dartmouth College lecturer Mark Bray, author of the controversial book, The Antifascist Handbook, to speak on the eve of the 18th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. President Donald Trump is currently considering labeling Antifa, which often uses violence, as a domestic terror group.
Bucknell University Sociology Professor Alexander Riley, author of the book Angel Patriots in the Sky: The Crash of United Flight 93 and the Myth of America, wrote in a piece for The Federalist, titled, “Bucknell University To Host Antifa Leader Who Promotes Political Violence,”
”At the campus where I teach,” Riley writes, “this week we are seeing an example of this insidious creep toward the left’s open embrace of violence against those who advocate for conservative ideas. The Humanities Center at Bucknell University has invited Mark Bray to speak on September 10, 2019, the day before the 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.”
Riley says the event with Bray is the first of a year-long series, titled, “Confronting Fascism.”
Campus Reform sat down with Riley for an exclusive interview on Tuesday:
[RELATED: Dartmouth prof to donate half of book proceeds to Antifa]
”Bray is an advocate for and participant in Antifa, an amorphous group of communists and anarchists who engage in thuggish street violence, attacking property and individuals they label ‘fascists’ or ‘white supremacists,’ designations they use sufficiently liberally as to include just about anyone they feel like vilifying and attacking. In his book, Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, Bray carefully adheres to this crude and toxic system of definition, calling all those who support the current president of the United States ‘everyday fascists’ and wrapping up with a concluding chapter with the astounding title ‘Whiteness is indefensible.’”
Campus Reform could not locate the event listed on Bucknell website or social media pages. However, Riley told Campus Reform that “the organizers are doing all the advertising for it via the private campus message service,” adding, “there are some posters up on campus.”
Campus Reform obtained an image of one of the posters.
Mike Ferlazzo, spokesman for the Pennsylvania college, located just 165 miles from where brave American commercial jet passengers overtook would-be terrorist hijackers to bring down United Flight 93 in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, saving dozens, if not hundreds of additional American lives, told Campus Reform in a statement:
In keeping with its mission to educate students for a lifetime of critical thinking and strong leadership characterized by continued intellectual exploration, Bucknell is committed to the exchange of diverse viewpoints. That includes viewpoints with which members of our community might disagree, sometimes vehemently, or perhaps even find offensive. Bucknell has not, to the best of our knowledge, barred a speaker from coming to campus based on their views or what they might say. The views expressed by speakers on campus do not necessarily represent the views, opinions or positions of Bucknell University and should not be attributed to the University.
[RELATED: Dartmouth scholar endorses Antifa violence]
As Campus Reform has previously reported, Bray has defended the use of violence as a “legitimate response” against group with extremist views, such as white supremacist factions. Dartmouth College, Bray’s employer at the time, released a statement distancing itself from Bray’s comments.
”Recent statements made by Lecturer in History Mark Bray supporting violent protest do not represent the views of Dartmouth. As an institution, we condemn anything but civil discourse in the exchange of opinions and ideas. Dartmouth embraces free speech and open inquiry in all matters, and all on our campus enjoy the freedom to speak, write, listen, and debate in pursuit of better learning and understanding; however, the endorsement of violence in any form is contrary to Dartmouth values,” a college spokesperson said.
Follow the author of this article on Facebook: @JonStreetDC and Twitter: @JonStreet
