But for the most part, the vast majority of Antifa types got away with what amounted to domestic terrorism, especially in Portland, Ore., which is the hub of the Antifa movement. There, for more than a month, Antifa 'warriors' laid siege to a federal courthouse, attacking with lasers, massive fireworks, and making attempts to literally burn the place down. There were some federal arrests made after then-President Donald Trump made it plain to his agencies they were not earning any points for themselves by allowing Antifa members to run rampant.
However, again, most Antifa perpetrators got away with it: They were never arrested or charged for anything they did, no matter how out of hand they became.
Well, that has changed suddenly, and it's about time.
For months a new $90 million police training facility near Atlanta has been under attack by Antifa members who have thrown Molotov cocktails at officers, vandalized the property, and occupied portions of the land. But now, five members of Antifa are in custody and are facing domestic terrorism charges after authorities found that the group had allegedly been stashing weapons and explosives.
The site of the planned center has been the focal point of protests for months by Antifa who have referred to the site - which protesters have made an autonomous zone - as Cop City. Many of those who were arrested were holed up in treehouses where police later recovered explosives.
Prior to Tuesday's arrests, police detained several people at the site for crimes including destruction of property and arson along with car-jacking and attacks on locals and government officials.
The 'official' reason for the 'protests' is environmental concern for the Weelaunee Forest, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but we all know what the real reason is anti-police sentiment because Antifa members are actual fascists who abhor law and order.
Antifa members arrested were identified as Serena Hertel, 25, of California; Nicholas Olson, 25, of Nebraska; Francis Carroll, 22, of Maine; Arieon Robinson, 22, of Wisconsin; and Leonardo Vioselle, 20, of Macon, Georgia.
"Earlier this week, the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] said that protesters had begun attacking police and other emergency services workers at the scene with rocks and bottles. After officers cleared the area, they recovered bombs, flares and gasoline, authorities said," the Daily Mail reported.
"Multiple crimes occurred on Saturday when the local fire department was called to the scene to extinguish a dumpster fire. Richard Porter told WXIA that he was set upon by the group when he attempted to pick up some scrap metal from the area," the report noted further.
Porter told authorities that group members began throwing things at him, including a "gas bomb," causing him to flee his truck, which was burned. He told WXIA: "It seemed to me like they were going to burn the truck with me in it."
The day of the arrests saw the left-wing Atlanta Community Press Collective note on Twitter: "Treesitters report that they are surrounded and being teargas'd by police." Actually, they are trespassers, not 'treesitters.'
A representative from a group supporting the lawlessness, Atlanta Solidarity Fund, told the AJC that those who were arrested are really just "legitimate political protesters."
"'There’s clear evidence to the contrary that the people they have been arresting and targeting and attacking have been engaged in nothing but peaceful civil disobedience," said Marlon Kautz.
And yet, a pickup truck, along with two homes that were being built near the area, were burned.
"I strongly believe in the right to peacefully protest for what one believes is right and just. However, I draw the line at violence, destruction of property, and threatening and causing harm to others," said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said in a statement. "My office will always stand up to protect the citizens of DeKalb County. The alleged acts of violence at the training facility site put the public in grave danger and will not be tolerated."
GOP Gov. Brian Kemp added: "We will not rest when it comes to bringing domestic terrorists to justice, and these arrests should serve as a strong reminder of that."
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