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submitted 1 day ago by Zerush@lemmy.ml to c/worldnews@lemmy.ml

Mark Bray, a Rutgers University history professor who wrote "Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook," is relocating to Spain with his family after receiving death threats and harassment[^1]. The threats emerged after President Trump designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization in September 2025, when conservative activists began targeting Bray on social media[^2].

The Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA circulated a petition calling for Bray's dismissal, labeling him "Dr. Antifa" and claiming he was an "outspoken, well-known antifa member"[^1]. After Fox News contacted him about the petition, Bray received death threats, including one promising to "kill him in front of his students," and his home address was posted on social media[^3].

Bray, who has taught courses on anti-fascism at Rutgers since 2019, maintains he has never been part of any antifa group, saying "I do not have any affiliation with any antifa group and don't plan to"[^1]. His initial attempt to leave the U.S. on October 9, 2025, was blocked when his family's flight reservations were mysteriously canceled at the gate[^4], but they successfully departed the following day[^7].

He plans to teach his classes remotely for the current academic year and hopes to return to campus in fall 2026[^1].

[^1]: AP News - Antifa expert at Rutgers University says he is moving to Spain because of death threats

[^2]: NJ.com - N.J. professor's attempt to flee to Spain blocked after threats over antifa research

[^3]: The Independent - Rutgers University's Antifa expert flees US after MAGA death threats

[^4]: The Guardian - US anti-fascism expert leaves country day after being blocked from flying to Spain

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[-] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 41 points 1 day ago

Given that he was blocked from leaving the country, that's probably a good idea.

[-] Zerush@lemmy.ml 40 points 1 day ago

A lot of academics, scientists, periodists are leaving the US to civilised countries since Trump is in the gov.

[-] RoquetteQueen@sh.itjust.works 3 points 18 hours ago

Yeah I heard we stole a few here in Canada. Please send more.

[-] Zerush@lemmy.ml 1 points 16 hours ago

eanwhile in the US batteling with an measle epedemy, because bleach vaccines don't help, also not a Bible below the pillow.

[-] zqwzzle@lemmy.ca 23 points 1 day ago

Three other profs studying authoritarianism left earlier this year. Clocks running out. https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/yale-professors-self-deport-trump-fascism-rcna207108

why the fuck would he think he's safe from fascism in fucking spain of all places

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 day ago

it was literally a fascist dictatorship for most of the 20th century and my understanding is it's still incredibly fascist

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 day ago

That ended many decades ago, there was a strong antifascist resistance that eventually won, and your understanding is wrong.

cool story so their navy is gonna break the israeli blockade right

oh, wait

[-] kurremkurrak@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

without reading the article, they were like "um yeah we're not going to protect you though" and pressured them, with Italy, to have them give the aid to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to "distribute"

if that's incorrect maybe I'll read it, but

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

There's a shitload of room between "not on the right side of history enough to risk open war with the US and all of its allies" and "literally fascist like the US, Israeli, and Russian governments are"

[-] ShimmeringKoi@hexbear.net 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Russia

Oh boy the fascism understander has arrived

I would also love to know at what point you think the US became fascist

[-] Zerush@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

In Spain no goes everybody with an firearm, less nazi idiots. In the EU there is a very strict weapon law. Nothing to do with the US.

this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2025
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