In late September, far-right activists targeted Professor Bray after his comments on President Trump’s executive order labeling Antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization.” Bray, who has authored four books on anarchism and Antifa, faced significant backlash, including being labeled a “domestic terrorist professor” and having his home address shared online. The conservative student group Turning Point USA initiated a petition seeking Bray’s dismissal, claiming he posed a safety risk.
Since September 26, Bray has received three death threats, prompting him to relocate his family to Spain for the academic year. Rutgers University acknowledged the petition and is gathering information on the situation. Legal counsel Zach Greenberg noted that threats to academics discussing race, ethnicity, and gender are increasingly common, threatening academic freedom.
Bray argued that the harassment reflects an environment fostered by the Trump administration aimed at suppressing dissenting research. He emphasized the dangers this poses to higher education, mentioning a broader trend of professors leaving the U.S. or seeking positions abroad due to similar threats.
When asked about the threats against Bray, the White House pointed to “Democrat violence,” citing recent incidents. Bray hopes to return to teaching in the U.S., with current courses being pre-recorded. He views this episode as a cautionary tale about rising authoritarianism. Greenberg stressed the importance of universities protecting academic freedom against external pressures.
