what is antifa and what do they stand for

Antifa, short for "anti-fascist," is a decentralized political movement primarily active in the United States that opposes fascism and far-right extremist ideologies. It operates through autonomous groups rather than having a central leadership. Antifa activists engage in a variety of tactics ranging from peaceful protests and digital activism to confrontational actions, including property damage and physical altercations. Their main targets are groups associated with white supremacy, neo-Nazism, and other far-right extremism. Antifa members usually hold left-leaning political beliefs, with many subscribing to far-left ideologies such as anarchism, anti-capitalism, and anti-authoritarianism. The movement prioritizes direct action over traditional policy reform and sees combating hate speech and oppressive activities as a responsibility. While some groups support nonviolent protests, others have been involved in militant tactics. Antifa activists often participate in counter-protests against far-right rallies and have become particularly prominent since the mid-2010s, especially during events like the Black Lives Matter protests. The movement is not a formal organization but rather a loose affiliation of activists who share a commitment to fighting fascism, racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and other oppressive systems. They often wear black clothing and masks to conceal their identities. Antifa has been both praised for opposing hate groups and criticized for its sometimes violent tactics. It has also been a subject of political controversy, with some officials labeling it a domestic terror threat, although law enforcement agencies primarily regard white supremacist groups as the main domestic terror threat.