To the Editor:

Now is the time to condemn in the strongest possible terms any and all violence by the Antifa faction. Such violence is not only wrong in and of itself, although of course that would be sufficient for such condemnation, but also it is a tragically wrongheaded strategy, serving only as a recruitment tool for the right.

As a socialist, I know that it is not enough to declare oneself to be an anti-capitalist. One must be able to offer a plausible alternative to capitalism, and be able to work with others to bring it about. Similarly, one may declare oneself an antifascist. I am an antifascist. However I know that in addition to voicing my opposition to fascism I must declare what things I am for. I am for democracy, I am for the right of workers to enjoy the fruits of their labors, and I am a believer in non-violence as the necessary mode of political activism.

I am not a pure Gandhian. I believe in a right of self-defense. However, I do not believe that we are in a situation in this country where that right of self-defense need be exercised in any but an organized and nonviolent manner.

People of my political stripe, and allies in antifascism across a broad swath of the political spectrum, are engaged in a cultural struggle, one to win over to the side of democracy and progress those of our neighbors who have been fooled by reactionaries and authoritarians.

Violence will not help in this struggle. Our strength must be in our numbers, and in the persuasive power our good ideas, clearly stated.

William Beebe

Potsdam