For years, some of us have been writing about the collapse of free speech protections in Europe as the left criminalizes a wide range of expressions and viewpoints. Now, a leading young German advocate, Naomi Seibt, known as the “Anti-Greta,” is seeking political asylum in the United States after years of Antifa threats. At one time, the idea of someone seeking asylum from a Western democracy would have been considered material for the Onion. Today, it is credible given the rising intolerance for opposing views in countries like Germany.
While we do not know a great deal about the underlying threats, Seibt, 25, recently filed the petition for political asylum, arguing that she is now fearful for her life after a litany of threats from the left. In addition, she recounted how she was informed that German police engaged in years of surveillance of her movements and communications — a complaint made by a wide array of conservatives and others in the country.
I discussed the war on free speech in Germany in my book, “The Indispensable Right.” We recently discussed how the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is conducting a nationwide search for citizens accused of committing speech crimes. The annual crackdown is part of Germany’s robust censorship and speech criminalization policies. We also discussed how Germany is extending its criminalization of speech to the Internet.
Last year, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was upset that civil libertarians were calling her anti-free speech, so she tried to shut down a publication for a satirical meme.
For this reason, it was fitting that the recent World Forum was held in Berlin. I spoke in Berlin at the World Forum, where European leaders gathered in one of the most strikingly anti-free speech conferences I have attended. This year’s forum embraced the slogan “A New World Order with European Values.”That “new world order” is based on an aggressive anti-free speech platform that has been enforced for years by the European Union. It is vividly evident in the latest crackdown in Germany.
According to the BKA, there were 10,732 crimes related to online hate speech committed last year—a record number and four times the crimes from 2021. It is an example of the insatiable appetite created by censorship as people seek to silence their critics or those with opposing views.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister, Christian Democrat Herbert Reul seemed to relish the power: “Digital arsonists must not be able to hide behind their phones or computers. Anyone who thinks anything is allowed on social media is seriously mistaken.”
He added that “people have forgotten the difference between hate and opinion.” For those who cannot tell the difference, the solution is just to stay silent or risk a knock on the door. It is the very chilling effect reflected in the recent polling showing that most Germans are now uncomfortable sharing their views in public.
According to a poll of German citizens. Only 18% of Germans feel free to express their opinions in public. 59% of Germans did not even feel free to express themselves in private among friends. And just 17% felt free to express themselves online.
What Seibt is reporting is consistent with what free speech groups told me in Berlin. She stated, “In 2024, I found out that I had been spied on by German intelligence for years. Simultaneously, I keep receiving death threats from Antifa.” She also reported that the German police seemed hostile to her claims of threats and refused to take action.
Her high visibility as the counterfoil to climate crusader Greta Thunberg seemed to fuel the threats.
What is most interesting about this petition is the context of pronounced anti-free-speech policies and laws in Germany. As both Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have addressed in major speeches, Europe is now a threat to free speech, including the rights of American citizens and corporations. Germany and the EU now deny this “indispensable right” to its citizens while seeking to pressure companies like X and Facebook to restore censorship programs.
For the free speech community, we would always prefer that advocates stay and fight in their home countries. However, that is an easy “ask” when you are not being targeted by both the government and groups like Antifa. Unfortunately, many of us in the United States have received similar death threats, and we have seen a rise in political violence, particularly from Antifa. We discussed such an attack just yesterday.
While Democratic leaders like Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) have denied the existence of Antifa, members continue to self-identify as well as to be indicted for political violence. In Europe, these “non-existent” groups actually have elected members in the EU and national legislatures.
As the EU and Europe continues to crack down on free speech, these asylum requests could well increase. We are used to people filing asylum petitions to flee religious intolerance. We are now seeking some of the first European fleeing speech discrimination. It is a sad statement about the state of free speech among some of our closest allies. However, as amplified by the remarks by Vance and Rubio, this is a very real threat to those who defy the majority in countries like Germany.
Professor Turley, as usual, shows his true colors. That he and the vast majority of his followers are vocal supporters of hate speech by the far right is hardly surprising. When racists and rabidly anti lgbtq buddies of his on the far right spew hate driven violent rhetoric he is silent – because that’s exactly who he is. Turley is a rabidly bigoted, hate and greed driven MAGA extremist and rails against anyone fighting fascism because he supports the Neo-fascist extremism of the far right. Like all human garbage, though he tries to try cover his detestable ideology in intellectual nonsense, you can still smell the right wing extremist stench a mile away.
Ray Moss said Turley is a rabidly bigoted, hate and greed driven MAGA extremist and rails against anyone fighting fascism because he supports the Neo-fascist extremism of the far right.
Ray: that’s a pretty pathetic undeveloped prefrontal cortex you’re proudly putting on public display with your vicious projecting, you Biden violent Antifa Useless Commie.
Projection:
Channeling one’s actions onto others typically refers to the psychological concept of projection, where an emotionally disturbed individual unconsciously or deliberately attributes their own thoughts, feelings, and anti-social or criminal behaviors onto someone else. This is an internal defense mechanism which allows a person to avoid confronting their own behavior and guilt by seeing them as the thoughts and actions of someone else who they despise and hate instead.
Please, can’t people like you discuss issues without ad hominem attacks. Nothing in your comments above except name calling. Empty of any logic or thought. You are actually doing the same as the brown shirts or Fascists always do. Read a little history. I doubt honestly you are capable of logical discussion. Name calling and violence is all people like you are capable of.
*. Ms Seibt, the US is gasping its last free breath. Take some good advice and find another hide-out. There may not be a refuge anywhere. OTOH, you fit the requirements established by immigration law if you pass the health and Vax test and have a clean record in addition. You don’t belong to any anti American groups?
“Naomi Seibt . . . is seeking political asylum in the United States after years of Antifa threats.”
The reason Seibt is a threat to Antifa is obvious: Antifa is pro-communist. She is passionately anti-communist. Communists don’t discuss, debate, argue. They terrorize dissenters. (See the former Soviet Union, China and Antifa today.)
To borrow the Left’s “reasoning:” If you bill yourself as “anti-fascist,” you are by definition a communist.
How can Antifa make death threats, according to the Psycho libs Antifa doesn’t exist, it just an idea? (sarc)
*. A word about the singular immigrants of long ago leaving families behind and all that they ever knew hoping for a better life. It was different then. Now there are entire enclaves speaking the foreign language and then , back then no one.
Those immigrants have my admiration. Never could I have been so brave so enduring in difficulty. A personal note for those incredible souls and spirits.
*. As long as we can be normal and agree that America has long understood that immigrants and immigration does NOT include criminal Illegal Aliens criminally entering the country and criminally remaining in the country while committing a lifetime crime spree. Illegal Aliens are the exact opposite of law abiding legal immigrants who legally entered this country and then proceeded to help build it while building better lives for themselves and their prodigy.
Coles Notes On Illegal Aliens for Soviet Democrat Commies
8 U.S.C. §1324. (Bringing in OR harboring certain aliens)
Any person whether US citizen or Illegal Alien who brings to or harbors Illegal Aliens in the Unites States in any manner whatsoever other than at a designated port of entry commits a felony punishable by 10 years in jail.
8 U.S.C. § 1325 (Improper Entry by Alien):
Where an illegal alien enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers. Yep, it’s a crime punishable by up to two years in jail as well as a fine. And civil penalties can be levied on top of that.
8 U.S.C. § 1302 (Registration of Aliens):
Federal law requires all aliens, including illegal aliens, to register their presence if they remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. A crime, punishable by both jail and a fine – and not subject to any statute of limitations. 30 days after any state or federal pardon to legalize the criminal… the crime they’re committing while in the USA resumes.
18 U.S.C. § 911 (False Personation of a U.S. Citizen):
Illegal aliens presenting themselves as U.S. citizens. For example, an illegal alien claiming U.S. citizenship while applying for and/or after being employed. A felony, punishable by up to five years in jail.
18 U.S.C. § 1001 (Fraud and False Statements):
Illegal aliens making false statements to the government or on official documents submitted to purchase a firearm, obtain a driver’s license, benefits, employment, etc. An example would be completing and submitting the I-9 Employment Eligibility form or a form where required to purchase a firearm. A felony, punishable by both a fine and up to five years imprisonment.
18 U.S.C. § 1028 (Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents, Authentication Features, and Information):
Otherwise known as “false ID” as the most common criminal example of this. Simple possession is enough. A felony, with up to fifteen years in jail as the penalty.
26 U.S.C. § 7203 (Willful Failure to File Return, Supply Information, or Pay Tax):
If an illegal alien is working, not filing tax returns, and not paying taxes, that is a crime for them just as it is for legal residents and Americans. Fines and jail…
42 U.S.C. § 408 (Social Security Fraud):
This offense occurs when an illegal alien provides a false Social Security number for the purpose of acquiring a job, to acquire a driver’s license, in order to obtain Section 8 housing, as just a few examples. A felony, punishable by both a fine and up to five years imprisonment, as well as the court possibly ordering restitution. Fines and jail…
50 U.S.C. App. 462(a) and 18 U.S.C. 3571(b)(3) (Refusing or Evading Selective Service Registration):
Illegal aliens, male, between 18 and 26. A felony, punishable by five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Democrats claim that we just don’t have enough criminals in this country with just the ones here with American citizenship. Which is why they demand more Illegal Alien criminals.
LET HER IN!
Latinos et al. illegally invade America by the 20s of millions; certainly actual Americans can let one rational little German girl in, she being Naomi Seibt.
And certainly, there were Europeans—German, Dutch, and Spaniard—who participated in the American Revolution and constituted European “OURSELVES and OUR POSTERITY.”
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Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795, 1798, 1802
United States Congress, “An act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” March 26, 1790
Be it enacted…That any Alien being a free white person…may be admitted to become a citizen thereof….
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“We the People of the United States…secure the Blessings of Liberty TO OURSELVES and OUR POSTERITY.”
– Preamble, 1787
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Now let 20 million Germans/Europeans cross the border and claim asylum.