A Rutgers University professor, Mark Bray, an expert on anti-fascist movements, has made a bold decision to relocate his family to Spain due to escalating threats on his life. This move comes amidst a controversial campaign led by the campus chapter of Turning Point USA and other conservative groups, who have been pushing for his termination.
Bray, an assistant professor of history, has been falsely accused of being a member of antifa, a term used to describe far-left activist groups opposing fascism. He authored the book "Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook," which delves into the philosophy and tactics of militant anti-fascist movements globally. Bray has been teaching courses on anti-fascism and terrorism at the university since 2019.
Speaking to The Associated Press from a hotel near Newark Airport, Bray explained that he chose to leave the country out of concern for his family's safety. He emphasized that he has no affiliation with any antifa groups and has no plans to join one. Bray's decision to move his classes online after receiving a death threat last month further highlights the seriousness of the situation.
The controversy began when President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Right-wing influencers and conservative groups took to social media to criticize Bray, leading to the circulation of an online petition by students from the Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA. The petition, which referred to Bray as "Dr. Antifa," called for his dismissal, claiming he was an outspoken antifa member.
While Bray denies being a member of any antifa groups, he has donated half of the proceeds from his book to a legal-defense fund supporting those arrested while protesting fascism. This has further fueled the controversy, with some conservatives arguing that antifa groups are responsible for political violence.
Bray's situation took a turn for the worse when Fox News contacted him for comment, leading to additional threats and the exposure of his home address and personal family information on social media. Rutgers University has declined to comment on Bray's case, citing their policy of not discussing personnel or student conduct matters publicly. However, they have emphasized their commitment to providing a secure environment for all community members.
The Turning Point USA chapter has not responded to requests for comment, but group members have stated to reporters that they believe they are within their rights to express their concerns about Bray. Megyn Doyle, a Rutgers student and treasurer for the Turning Point USA chapter, told Fox News that having a teacher who promotes political violence puts conservative students at risk of antifa attacks.
In a statement, the group's online petition now clarifies that they do not support the harassment or doxing of Bray or anyone else. Bray's experience is not isolated, as he has faced public criticism before, notably in 2017 when he was a lecturer at Dartmouth College. During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," he stated that violent self-defense could be a legitimate response to violence by white supremacists and neo-Nazis. However, Bray clarified to the AP that he does not wish violence upon anyone.
Bray's plans to leave the U.S. were first reported by NJ.com, and he believes his situation is part of a broader effort to silence discourse on college campuses. He sees this as an example of the Trump administration's attempt to conflate protest with terrorism and equate public scholarship in a university with extremism. Bray plans to live and teach remotely from Spain for the current academic year and hopes to return to campus next fall. However, his journey was not without a hitch, as his family's reservations for their flight to Spain were canceled shortly before takeoff.
This story raises important questions about free speech, political activism, and the safety of academics on college campuses. What are your thoughts on this controversial issue? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
