Folks online have given a much-needed history lesson to Infowars editor-at-large Paul Joseph Watson.
The British-based conspiracy theorist tweeted Wednesday that author George Orwell “rolls in his grave” at the idea of antifa ― the far-left anti-fascist movement confronting hate groups at public protests like the one in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month ― holding signs that say “no hate.”
Under a photograph of antifa activists, Watson described them as “the most hateful group in America.”
The most hateful group in America.
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) August 28, 2017
Orwell rolls in his grave. pic.twitter.com/vgmxXSnZTK
Watson appeared to forget (or didn’t realize) that Orwell himself actually fought fascists in the Spanish Civil War, and even wrote Homage to Catalonia about his experience.
Historical researcher Mike Stuchbery, who teaches the history of the 1936-1939 conflict to children in schools, was quick to remind Watson that Orwell was “as ‘Antifa’ as it gets.”
Paul. Orwell volunteered to fight fascists in Spain. Essentially, Orwell is as 'Antifa' as it gets. You dumb motherfucker. https://t.co/84jJ0v08ie
— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@MikeStuchbery_) August 30, 2017
Paul, again, Orwell signed up to fight with the militia of a Spanish Marxist party, via the ILP. That's how much he despised fascists. https://t.co/biu3n4aLnJ
— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@MikeStuchbery_) September 1, 2017
Again, read a fuckin' book.
— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@MikeStuchbery_) September 1, 2017
Other tweeters agreed:
You know absolutely nothing about Orwell, do you? 😂😂
— Jack Hancock (@1983Jackhancock) August 30, 2017
Yet again little Paul shows his ignorance of history. Do you ever get tired of looking like an angry tit?
— Mark (@MarkMobile68) August 30, 2017
@PrisonPlanet you have no idea who Orwell was
— Alan Owen (@thebrownhat) August 30, 2017
Dope. Orwell fought fascism. Have you read his books? pic.twitter.com/zkqEjB2xae
— Caro (@carogonza) August 31, 2017
Orwell was an anarchist. Wrote a book about killing fascists in Spain. How can you be this uninformed, really?
— 🏴#Antifapist 🏴 (@comradeofswadia) August 31, 2017
They named a square in Barcelona after him for fighting fascists, you numb skull. pic.twitter.com/BxYRqhJAr3
— Aaron Barndollar (@barndollar) August 31, 2017
Do you even Google, bro?
— Aman Gill (@amangill1984) August 30, 2017
Try reading Orwell's book Catalonia about his time fighting fascists in Spain you numpty
— KS (@ks_1968) August 31, 2017
Have... have you read Orwell?
— Seth Maloney (@Seth_Maloney) August 31, 2017
ha ha you know NOTHING about Orwell.
— Arrows of Love (@arrowsoflove) August 30, 2017
Literally NOTHING.
Orwell was literally an anti-fascist democratic socialist 😂
— Hayden Goes West (@HaydenSilb) August 30, 2017
Why did Twitter verify you? Ive never seen you not saying something idiotic
— peepants longway MFD (@gucci_jumpsuit) August 31, 2017
Have you...do you know who Orwell was?
— Ardie Collins (@ardiecollins) August 30, 2017
George Orwell: "If you had asked me why I had joined the militia I should have answered: ‘To fight against Fascism’.." (1938)#antifascists
— Tim Fenton (@PompeyTim69) August 30, 2017
George Orwell actually went to Spain during the Spanish Civil War to fight against fascists with socialists. He wrote a book about it too.
— Kharn (@LeninMarxEngel) August 30, 2017
He literally supported an antifascist militia
— Niká (@Nikafur) August 30, 2017
I doubt he wanted a repeat of "Homage to Catalonia" seeing as it involves him taking a bullet to the neck while he fought fascists in Spain.
— Money Snake (@SvizraLion) August 30, 2017
Read HOMAGE TO CATALONIA
— Andy Elijah (@andrewmelijah) August 30, 2017
Orwell fought fascist in Spain, he wrote a book about it
— Jeremy Wein (@thismyshow) August 30, 2017
LOL Orwell fought fascists in Spain. He WAS ANTIFA! You are very poorly read. Did you go to school anywhere?
— Alexandra Halaby (@iskandrah) August 31, 2017
Obviously you do not know Orwell. He fought as an anti-fascist alongside communists in an anarchist militia and wrote a whole book about it.
— Q Mart (@quickiemart) August 30, 2017
When you get owned in the comments pic.twitter.com/1GM68Sr1H3
— SansaSnark (@_SunEyedGirl__) August 30, 2017
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