Subculture Antifa as a socio-political phenomenon: the experience of studying in Syktyvkar

The characteristics of the genesis of the left-radical movement “Antifa” in Syktyvkar is given. The influence of cooperation of its representatives with members of the Komi Human Rights Commission “Memorial” on the formation and development of Syktyvkar antifascists is considered. These contacts are connected with general problems of countering the spread of influence of xenophobic and right-wing ideas in Russian society. Much attention is paid to the analysis of regional features of the anti-fascist movement. We analyzed the composition of the participants in the movement, the features of ideology and practice, the methods and means of struggle, the attitude to violence and to the state, and especially the social ideals of the antifascists. We consider the ideological orientations of modern Russian anti-fascists, as well as the typical movement forms of political action. Along with consideration of practical activity we attempted to analyze the composition of political preferences and orientations of modern anti-fascists. We study in detail the mechanism of the anti-fascist ideas propaganda (various street actions, including environmental ones, explanation of the objectives and tasks of the anti-fascist movement with the aid of internet resources, presentations at various discussion sites). Particular attention is paid to the areas of activity of Syktyvkar anti-fascists - ecology, anti-militarism, independent music festivals and the violent street confrontation of militant-Antifa to representatives of the right skin culture. Of interest is the fact that the paper is based on data of sociological survey conducted for the first time among anti-fascists of Syktyvkar in 2014, which allows us to conclude that the anti-fascist movement in the capital of Komi exists and corresponds by the basic parameters to the anti-fascist formations in other regions of the country. The Society of Syktyvkar Antifa is a network organization with a distinct subcultural basis.