Rutgers University anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport | US news
A Rutgers University professor who lectures on anti-fascism was prevented from leaving the United States for Spain on Wednesday night. According to media reportsIt comes hours after Donald Trump hosted a roundtable at the White House highlighting the influence of antifa, or “anti-fascist,” far-left activists.
Historian Mark Bray, who published the book Antifa: Anti-Fascist Handbook in 2017 and lectures on anti-fascism at the University of New Jersey, was trying to board a plane to Europe at Newark airport when he was informed at the boarding gate that the reservations for him and his family had been cancelled.
The professor, nicknamed “Dr Antifa” by a group of students, said he would move to Europe after receiving death threats. Turning Point USA activists claimed that he was a “financier” of the leftist movement.
“’Someone’ canceled my family’s flight out of the country at the last minute” Bray shared on Bluesky social media. “We got our boarding passes. We checked our bags. We went through security. Then our reservation was ‘lost’ at our gate.”
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, a petition campaign was launched calling for Bray’s suspension from the university and Bray’s home address was revealed on social media.
One of the threats included an oath to kill him in front of his students. According to Washington Post. The threats led Bray to decide to move to Spain with his wife and two children and continue teaching his students remotely.
“My family and I are moving to Europe this year because we don’t feel safe at home right now,” Bray said in an email to students Sunday. “I’m really sorry I couldn’t spend time with all of you in class.”
Bray told the New York Times “My role in this is as a professor. I have never been part of an antifa group and I am not currently,” he said earlier Wednesday. But he added: “There is an attempt to portray me as someone who does the things I research, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Bray said the family had rebooked for Thursday evening, but they had no information as to why the previous reservation was cancelled. “It may seem like a conspiracy, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” he said. “We’re in a hotel and we’ll try again.”
After Kirk’s assassination, right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor” on X. Later, the Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA published an article. petition He accused the professor of being an “outspoken, well-known antifa member” and called for his removal.
Rutgers section Turning Point USA has said it does not support harassment or doxxing, but Bray is on a list of academics the group identifies as advancing left-leaning class propaganda.
“Do you want to be a socialist? Then be sure to visit this professor!!!! Jokes aside, it helps us report this professor who has ties to Antifa, now designated as a domestic terrorist organization.” The Rutgers episode was posted on Instagram a few days ago.
In a statement, Rutgers said it does not comment on matters involving staff or student conduct.
“Rutgers University is committed to providing a safe environment to learn, teach, work and research where all members of our community can share their ideas without fear of intimidation or harassment,” he added.
