A Rutgers University professor is temporarily moving to Europe after receiving a series of threats, which he says intensified following a student-led petition calling for his dismissal. The professor, Mark Bray, an expert on the history of antifascism, became the target of accusations that he promotes political violence.
Key Takeaways
- Rutgers University history professor Mark Bray is temporarily moving to Europe for his safety.
- The move follows threats that escalated after a student group's petition accused him of being an "antifa leader."
- Bray states he is an academic who studies social movements and is not a member of any organization.
- The university has expressed support for Bray's academic freedom and safety.
Professor Moves Abroad Amid Safety Concerns
Mark Bray, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, has made the decision to continue his teaching duties from Europe. This move comes after he received a threatening email that included his home address, a significant escalation in a series of threats against him.
Initially, Bray had shifted his classes to an online format as a precautionary measure. However, the direct threat to his physical safety prompted the decision to relocate internationally for a period. He will continue to teach his three Rutgers courses remotely, which include subjects such as terrorism and the history of antifascism.
Background on the Controversy
The situation gained national attention after the Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization, launched a petition demanding Bray's termination. This occurred in a politically charged environment following the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and a presidential executive order that designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Student Group Petition Cites Political Violence
The core of the controversy stems from a Change.org petition organized by the Rutgers chapter of Turning Point USA. The petition accuses Bray of promoting political violence and claims his presence on campus puts conservative students at risk.
Megyn Doyle, the treasurer for the student group, told Fox News Digital that Bray's work encourages militant action. "You have a teacher that so often promotes political violence, especially in his book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook," Doyle stated in an interview.
The petition directly links Bray's academic work to real-world violence, suggesting his rhetoric contributed to a climate that resulted in Charlie Kirk's assassination. It refers to Bray as "Dr. Antifa" and alleges he calls for "militant actions" against mainstream conservative figures.
Bray Denies Accusations and Defends Academic Role
Professor Bray has publicly refuted the claims made against him, describing them as "manufactured outrage." He has consistently clarified his position as an academic, not an activist or member of any political group.
"I am not now, nor have I ever been, part of any kind of antifascist or anti-racist organization – I just haven’t. I’m a professor," Bray stated. "I’m a professor of the history of the left."
Bray explained that while he is an antifascist "insofar as I don’t like fascism," he is not a threat to any students. He also addressed the specific claim that he called commentator Bill O’Reilly a fascist, stating, "I don’t think I’ve ever called Bill O’Reilly a fascist. I don’t remember ever doing that. Of course, if they were actually my students, I’d say, ‘include a citation.’”
Clarifying the Book's Proceeds
The petition highlighted that Bray's book, Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, donates a portion of its proceeds to the International Anti-Fascist Defense fund. Bray clarified that this fund helps cover legal and medical costs for individuals facing charges related to anti-racist organizing and is not itself an "antifa group." He rejected the label of being an "antifa financier."
A Timeline of Renewed Threats
According to Bray, he had received threats in the past when his work first gained prominence around 2017, but they had largely subsided. The threats recently resumed and intensified following three key events:
- The presidential executive order concerning antifa.
- The launch of the Change.org petition by the student group.
- A social media post on September 25 by far-right commentator Jack Posobiec, which called him a "domestic terrorist professor."
It was after a Fox News story about the petition that Bray received the email containing his home address, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the country.
University and Student Response
Rutgers University has acknowledged the situation. In a statement, the university said it is aware of the petition and Bray's message to his students. "We are gathering more information about this evolving situation," the statement read.
Bray reported that he met with the university's dean and received "full support … for my academic freedom and for my safety." This sentiment was echoed by numerous students on a Rutgers subreddit, where many former students shared positive experiences from his classes.
One user commented: "I loved him as a professor. He was great at challenging us to argue more nuanced points. He made me such a better writer." Another added, "This is terrible, had him in spring 2023 for Human Rights, he was such a nice guy, you could tell he really cared about all his students."
The student group seeking his removal maintains its position, invoking a common argument about free speech. They state that while they believe in the right to free speech, "This does not mean that one is free from the consequences of their actions."
