Update on Antifascists Facing Repression from Opposing the NSM in Newnan, Georgia

Report and update from the International Anti-Fascist Defense Fund on those facing charges stemming from protests in Newnan, GA against the NSM.

Back in April 2018, full-on nazis from the National Socialist Movement held a rally in Newnan, GA. Anti-fascists showed up to defend the community from that threat and were attacked – by Georgia police. 400 cops pointed assault rifles at, beat, and arrested anti-fascists – ten people were arrested in all.

For decades the #NSM and other neo-Nazi + KKK groups rallying in #Newnan have carried out acts of murder and violence. In the eyes of the police and media however, the real threat is from the antifascists. Check our liveblog for #NewnanStrong #NoNaziNewnan https://t.co/y2clafqO0z pic.twitter.com/J2egXwQ8fJ

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 21, 2018

The International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund stepped up at the time to help out – paying a big chunk of the legal defense costs for two anti-fascists and helping one in his constitutional challenge of Georgia’s anti-mask ordinance, which he was on the wrong end of when he was charged under it at this action. Our help, along with the support of groups like The Atlanta Solidarity Fund, helped get these antifa out of jail and made sure they had good lawyers representing them when the time came.

#ThisIsAmerica: Trump attacks food stamps and migrants as poverty and homelessness rise. We speak with @StopSweepsATX about fighting attacks on the poor in #Austin, legal update on #Newnan antifascists, anarchist analysis of the new book 'A Warning.' https://t.co/Xsrw651G76

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) December 5, 2019

It’s been a minute but the ASF posted a recent update, so we thought this would be a good time to fill y’all in on some of the things that have happened since then:

• Unfortunately, the challenge to the anti-mask ordinance did not succeed on appeal. We still think challenging that law – and its selective application – was absolutely the right thing to do.
• In much, much better news, one of the arrestees, Daniel Hanley, successfully sued the police for wrongful arrest and was awarded $35,000 last year.
• Then over the last few days, a second anti-fascist arrested at this action who also sued the police won an award of $40,000!

It’s important to push back on police repression of anti-fascism with every tool available. We are proud to have been able to help the anti-fascists who defended Newnan in 2018 to defend themselves in court and to aggressively go after the police for blatantly violating their rights.

Much as in lead up to #Charlottesville rally, neo-Nazis ahead of #Newnan protest encourage white supremacists to engage in violence. Leaders telling attendees to kill counter-protesters with "NO WARNING SHOTS" and to bring concealed knives. #NewnanStrong #NoNaziNewnan pic.twitter.com/ZNFFrubyKh

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 21, 2018

by Anonymous Contributor via It's Going Down