Squadism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Squadism was the name given to a movement within the Anti-Nazi League in Britain in the late 1970s and early 1980s who used violent confrontation to break up meetings, marches and other gatherings of extreme right-wing groups such as the British National Front and the British Movement. The idea behind the tactic was to intimidate groups seen as fascist without high profile confrontations which would generate publicity for the far right. Squadism became increasingly frowned upon by the ANL leadership, and many 'squadists' were expelled.
When the ANL disbanded, ex-Squad members went on to form Anti-Fascist Action and Red Action.
The criticism of militant anti-fascism's use of violence by more popular front oriented anti-fascists has precendents in the 1930s. Then, official Communist Party of Great Britain leaders (for example, Phil Piratin) used similar rhetoric against those such as Joe Jacobs, who advocated a more violent approach. In Italy, militant anti-fascists the Arditi del Popolo (people's squads) pursued a similar policy and was suppressed by the Communist Party of Italy.[1] [2]
