The Political Violence They Support

Antifa and other leftists often physically attack white advocates, nationalists, and immigration opponents. Many journalists cheer. If someone fights back, media profess outrage and there are demands for prosecution. It’s “heads we win, tails you lose.”

The latest example is the case of “Eggboy” and Australian Senator Fraser Anning. In the aftermath of the New Zealand terrorist attack, Senator Anning “totally condemned” violence. However, he said “the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.” He also said the attacks highlight “the growing fear within our community, both in Australia and New Zealand, of the increasing Muslim presence.”

These comments are like the search for the “root causes” of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Nonetheless, the international media condemned Senator Anning as did Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.

No doubt inspired by this, 17-year-old William Connolly smacked Senator Anning on the head from behind with a raw egg. Mr. Connolly clearly wanted to become a media hero; he was recording his attack with his cell phone. However, he did not expect Senator Anning’s reaction: a swift smack across the face. Both he and the senator were then restrained.

The attack on Fraser Anning.

Hitting someone from behind is assault. Hitting an elected official is a serious crime. Reporters, Democratic politicians, and even some Republicans have all accused President Trump of encouraging violence. If a Democratic politician in the United States had been hit or egged, there would be outrage.

When Communists egged French president Emmanuel Macron in June 2016, even his enemies were outraged. In March 2017, another protester egged President Macron. Security surrounded him and chased down the attacker.

Yet many journalists have condemned Senator Anning’s reaction. Antonia Noori Farzan of the Washington Post conceded that normally egging someone is “unspeakably rude” but because this is a “moment of raw emotion and mass grief,” the teenager “quickly emerged as a cult hero.” Hero status didn’t “emerge;” it was created by the mainstream media.

• “All About Egg Boy, the Internet’s New Teen Hero”
• “‘Egg Boy’ Will Connolly’s rise to fame around the world”
• “Canadians Are Obsessed with #Eggboy and Want Him to Come Egg Some Politicians Here”

“Egg boy” obviously wanted to humiliate Senator Anning and create a “viral” moment. Former British National Party head Nick Griffin was egged in 2009 by antifa during a press conference after his election to the European Parliament. In response, Channel 4 news interviewed the man who organized the attack. A liberal website celebrated the egging with a caption contest. Unflattering images of Mr. Griffin covered in egg circulated widely.

The Australian senator did not play by the media’s script: he retaliated. “He got a slap across the face,” Senator Anning later said, “which is what his mother should have given him long ago, ‘cause he’s been misbehaving badly.”

Of course, now the senator is facing accusations of “assault,” with some journalists urging criminal charges. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison urged “the full force of the law” be used against the senator. Meanwhile, Mr. Connolly himself later used an ethnic slur against those who restrained him, calling them “bogans” — the Australian equivalent of “white trash” or “rednecks.” “Egg Boy” is now raising money on GoFundMe, a platform that bans anyone whom journalists call “Alt-Right.”

Australian writer Claire Lehmann denounced the slap because “Egg Boy” is just a “child.” A 17-year-old is hardly a “child.” Seventeen-year-olds can join the United States Army with parental consent. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said only days ago that she wants 16-year-olds to have the vote, and 125 other members of Congress support her.

Many journalists approve of violence against their political opponents, especially white advocates. The mainstream media widely celebrated the sucker-punch attack against Richard Spencer at President Trump’s inauguration. If Mr. Spencer had fought back, he would surely have faced accusations of “assault” from the mainstream media. Similarly, the very Trump Administration now attacked by the mainstream media for supposedly promoting white nationalism selectively prosecutes right-leaning groups for fighting antifa, while letting off antifa.

The rules of political debate are simple. Don’t use violence against opponents. Condemn those who do, even those on “your side.” If you start a fight, don’t play the victim when someone stronger finishes it. The reaction to Senator Anning suggests that many journalists don’t want a debate. They don’t want certain people to speak at all.