The Political Scene | The New Yorker How Bad Is It?: Why an Antifascism Scholar Fled the Country
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Oct 30, 2025 Mark Bray, a historian and author specializing in antifascism, shares his harrowing experience of receiving death threats and doxing that led him and his wife, Yesenia Barragan, a Latin American historian, to flee the U.S. The couple discusses the alarming rise of political violence, their choice to move to Spain, and the impact of conservative watchlists on academic freedom. Bray also explores the ethics of militant antifascism, the balance between free speech and public safety, and the chilling effects of threats on open discourse.
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Escalating Threats After Media Targeting
- Mark Bray describes receiving death threats and having his home address posted online after being labeled a domestic terrorist online.
- That sequence of threats and media attention prompted him to move classes online and seek safety measures before leaving the country.
Immediate Family Flight And Framing To Kids
- Yesenia Barragan recounts leaving immediately after Mark received an email containing their home address.
- They arranged temporary accommodations and framed the move as a research year because their children had previously attended school in Spain.
Use University Channels For Protection
- Seek institutional support quickly when targeted; Bray and Barragan received support from department, union, and student bodies.
- Use university structures (chairs, deans, faculty senate) to document threats and secure protections.
