Keith Ellison’s Tweet On Antifa Book Draws Scrutiny

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Rep. Keith Ellison is drawing criticism for calling attention to a book that condones violence during clashes with white supremacists.

The Democratic congressman posted a photo on Twitter Wednesday of himself posing with the book “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.” The book calls violence during “a small though vital sliver of anti-fascist activity.”

Ellison’s post said the book should “strike fear into the heart” of President Donald Trump. It drew pushback from Republicans who have criticized the movement’s at-times violent disruptions of speaking engagements and white supremacist rallies.

At @MoonPalaceBooks and I just found the book that strike fear in the heart of @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/r81nYoeqpL

— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) January 3, 2018

Spokesman Karthik Ganapathy says Ellison has not read the book but has espoused nonviolence throughout his career.

While antifa protesters have sometimes clashed with white supremacists, 32-year-old Heather Heyer was fatally struck by a driver as she protested a white nationalist rally this summer. The man, an alleged neo-Nazi, has been charged with murder.

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