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Andy Ngo Labels Antifa ‘Far-Left Paramilitary-Style Movement’ In WSJ Op-Ed

(Moriah Ratner/Getty Images)

Rachel Stoltzfoos Staff Reporter
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Quillette editor Andy Ngo described antifa as a “paramilitary-style movement of anarchists and communists agitating for a revolution” in a Wall Street Journal op-ed detailing his assault at the hands of the group.

“The mainstream media describe antifa as ‘antifascist,’ but in fact it is a far-left paramilitary-style movement of anarchists and communists agitating for a revolution,” Ngo wrote. His description runs counter to that of many of the journalists and major media outlets who covered the attack, which cast antifa as a largely peaceful group with the laudable aim of fighting fascism. The Daily Caller documented the group’s history of attacks on journalists here.

Unidentified Rose City Antifa members beat up Andy Ngo, a Portland-based journalist, on June 29, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Moriah Ratner/Getty Images)

Unidentified Rose City Antifa members beat up Andy Ngo, a Portland-based journalist, on June 29, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Moriah Ratner/Getty Images)

“I was set upon by a mob, some wearing fiberglass-hardened gloves as well as masks,” Ngo wrote. He had already  approached the police twice to report that members of the crowd threw milkshakes in his face, but was told police wouldn’t pursue the suspects because they didn’t want to “incite” the protesters. “They pummeled me in the face and the back of the head until I let go of my camera, which somebody snatched. I raised my arms in surrender, but the mob took that as a signal to become more aggressive.” (RELATED: Democrats Silent On Antifa Attack, Liberal Journos And Activists Blame The Victim)

Ngo’s account is backed up by footage and photos posted online before, during and after the attack. He is seen peacefully filming the rally, and passively defending himself as antifa members hit and kick him repeatedly and throw various objects and liquids in his face. He stumbles off and sits down, recounting what happened in a Twitter live stream.

“Where the hell were all of you?” he asks, when Portland personnel approach. He is visibly shaken and frustrated, cutting off the officer who asks him to state his name. “My name is Andy Ngo. I had been assaulted twice earlier today and reported it to your colleagues, and nothing was done.” (RELATED: Writer For HuffPo Makes Excuses For Antifa After Far-Left Group Attacks Journalist)

Ngo spent more than a day in the hospital with a brain bleed, and was told he may suffer memory loss for up to six months. It’s clear he is still recovering as he recounts his story in a video running at the top of the WSJ op-ed.

“Despite being surrounded by institutions of the rule of law that day, what I experienced was violent anarchy and lawlessness,” he concluded in the op-ed. “Portland calls itself a ‘sanctuary city,’ but it’s nothing of the sort for a law-abiding journalist.”