US anti-fascism expert leaves country day after being blocked from flying to Spain
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was told at gate his trip was cancelled after Trump threats
A Rutgers University professor who taught a course onanti-fascism has left the US, a day after he was blocked from boarding a flight toSpain, following a White House event whereDonald Trump promised “very threatening” steps against antifa activists.
Mark Bray, a historian who has taught courses on anti-fascism at theNew Jersey university, was attempting to board a plane at Newark airport late on Wednesday when he was informed at the boarding gate that reservations for him and his family had been cancelled.
The professor, nicknamed “Dr Antifa” by students, had said he was moving to Europe after receiving death threats. Turning Point USA activists have claimed that Bray, author of the 2017 book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, is a “financier” for the leftwing movement.
“‘Someone’ cancelled my family’s flight out of the country at the last second,”Bray posted on Bluesky. “We got our boarding passes. We checked our bags. Went through security. Then at our gate our reservation ‘disappeared’.”
Braytold the New York Times earlier on Wednesday: “My role in this is as a professor. I’ve never been part of an antifa group, and I’m not currently.” He added: “There’s an effort under way to paint me as someone who is doing the things that I’ve researched, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Bray told the outlet that his family was rebooked for Thursday evening but was in the dark about why the earlier booking had been cancelled. “I may sound conspiratorial, but I don’t think it is a coincidence,” he said. “We’re at a hotel and we’re just going to try again.”
Late on Thursday, Brayposted on the social media platform Bluesky: “Our plane to Spain is in the air!”
He added: “Thank you so much to the countless people supporting us in every way and in particular all of the Rutgers students and faculty who have supported us every step of the way.”
A petition calling for his removal from the university had been launched in the weeks following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Bray’s home address was revealed on social media.
One threat included a vow to kill him in front of his students,according to the Washington Post. The threats led to Bray’s decision to relocate to Spain with his wife and two children and to continue to teach his students remotely.
“Since my family and I do not feel safe in our home at the moment, we are moving for the year to Europe,” Bray said in an email to students on Sunday. “Truly I am so bummed about not being able to spend time with you all in the classroom.”
After Kirk’s assassination, the rightwing influencer Jack Posobiec called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor” on X. The Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA then circulated apetition that accused the professor of being an “outspoken, well-known antifa member” and called for his dismissal.
The Rutgerschapter of Turning Point USA has said it does not support harassment or doxing, but Bray is on a list of academics the group identifies as advancing left-leaning classroom propaganda.
“Do you want to become a socialist? If so, make sure to pay this professor a visit!!!! All jokes aside help us report this professor who has ties to Antifa which now is designated as a domestic terrorist organization,”the Rutgers chapter posted on Instagram several days ago.
In a statement, Rutgers said it did not comment on personnel or student conduct matters.
“Rutgers University is committed to providing a secure environment – to learn, teach, work and research – where all members of our community can share their opinions without fear of intimidation or harassment,” it added.
Quick GuideContact us about this story
Show
The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.
If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.
Secure Messaging in the Guardian app
The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.
If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select ‘Secure Messaging’.
SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post
If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via ourSecureDrop platform.
Finally, our guide attheguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.