© Scott Olson / AFPPolice clash with demonstrators as they try to clear Antifa members and anti-Trump protesters in Portland, Oregon.
The author of the petition said anti-fascists should be recognized as terrorists because of their "violent actions in multiple cities and their influence in the killings of multiple police officers throughout the United States." He added that "terrorism is defined as the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims," and urged the Pentagon to be "consistent in its actions."
"Just as they rightfully declared ISIS a terror group, they must declare Antifa a terror group - on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety," the wording of the petition said.
Antifa or the extreme left is known for its violent rivalry with white supremacists and other far-right groups across America.
Last Saturday saw violent clashes between a Unite the Right rally and an Antifa counter-protest in Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence culminated in a right-wing a activist plowing his car through the crowd, killing one person and injuring 19 others.
President Trump came under fire following the Charlottesville events, as he initially stopped short of condemning the white supremacists and instead placed blame on "all sides." "What about the alt-left that came charging at, as you say, at the alt-right? Do they have any assemblage of guilt?" the US leader said. "What about the fact that they came charging with clubs in their hands swinging clubs? Do they have any problem? I think they do. That was a horrible, horrible day," Trump added.
Hundreds of right-wing demonstrators and thousands of left-winger counter-protesters flocked to a park in downtown Boston Saturday for simultaneous rallies. Security has been boosted, with backpacks, sticks and any other items that can be used as weapons banned.
Before the rally, the Boston Antifa branch has called on its members and supporters to "confront fascism" at Saturday's rally. "We'll see who really, really has the guts at this rally," the group said in an online video, WCVB reported.
In January, a petition to class the Black Lives Matter movement as terrorist organization was launched. However, it failed to reach the required benchmark, collecting less than 1,000 signatures in a month.
Antifa opponents welcomed the petition on social media, urging followers to sign it as well.
Some users expressed belief that with Trump in office, the initiative had a real chance of passing.
Antifa supporters suggested that right-wing groups and their sympathizers had no moral right to demand anyone being labeled terrorist, as they're themselves are guilty of extremist behavior.
Comment: If you create situations to perpetrate terror and act on them, by definition you are a terrorist. What worked to destabilize other countries is now happening in the USA. Antifa movement may only be the beginning.
Update August 20, 2017: There appears to be signs of sanity as people come to realize Antifa is a fascist movement. As of this time, the number of signatures has more than doubled since this article was written!
Update August 21, 2017: RT reports: Update (Aug. 23): The petition has now passed 250k, currently standing at just over 277,000.