Milkshaking

William LeGate

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Milkshaking is a term used to describe a leftist tactic of throwing "milkshakes" at political opponents. Many leftists have excused this tactic as non-violent, while others have openly suggested that "milkshakes" should be replaced by "bricks" or other projectiles.

Background

"Milkshaking" started in the United Kingdom in May 2019 with incidents targeting Tommy Robinson, Carl Benjamin and Nigel Farage.

The first incident appears to have been when Danyaal Mahmud threw a milkshake on Tommy Robinson on May 2 2019.

Milkshaking or Bricks?

While many mainstream journalists dismissed Milkshaking as a harmless political tool to be used to effectively humiliate non-socialist politicians, numerous Antifa and prominent accounts on Twitter were advocating an escalation to the practice.

Sarah Gailey

"If we can't throw milkshakes I guess we'll just have to go back to bricks"

In the wake of a violent "milkshake" attack on journalist Andy Ngo, author Sarah Gailey tweeted: "If we can't throw milkshakes I guess we'll just have to go back to bricks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

Sarah Gailey comments positively on Brick labeled "milkshake"

Sarah Gailey also responded to an image of a brick with "milkshake" written on it with a statement "Good Art" on June 30 2019.

Antifa International

Antifa International Tweets Image Threatening Violence

The Twitter account "Antifa International" tweeted an image of Nigel Farage and a "chart" showing that a brick comes after a milkshake.

Carlos Maza

Milkshake then all. Humiliate them at every turn.

Carlos Maza tweeted: "Milkshake then all. Humiliate them at every turn."

Establishment Media on Milkshaking

New Republic

In an article titled: "Why Milkshaking Works: The far right fears nothing more than public humiliation" dated May 21 2019, author Matt Ford writes:

"Getting doused in a milkshake robs far-right figures of the air of chauvinistic invulnerability that they spend so much time cultivating. They hunger to be taken seriously despite their racist views. They want to be described as dapper, to be interviewed on evening news broadcasts and weekend talk-show panels, and to be seen as a legitimate participant in the democratic process. Most politicians to the left of Enoch Powell would brush off milkshaking as a harmless stunt. For those seeking mainstream legitimacy, it’s another searing reminder that they don’t belong."

The Atlantic

In an article titled: "Sometimes a Milkshake Is Just a Milkshake" dated May 27 2019, author Dan Kaszeta writes:

"Let’s not lose perspective. Acts of political protest happen. Acts of political violence happen. There is some overlap between the two. But throwing a milkshake, while fundamentally inappropriate, uncivil, and possibly criminal (depending on the jurisdiction), isn’t the same thing as throwing a brick or shooting a rifle."

Popdust.com

In an article titled: "In Defense of Throwing Milkshakes: Why Humiliating Far-Right Politicians Works" dated May 23 2019, author Dan Kahan writes:

"...despite the physicality of milkshaking, the goal of the act is public humiliation and drawing attention to the ridiculousness of the target and their awful ideas. No reasonable person would argue that milkshaking actually results in bodily harm, so the question isn't so much whether or not milkshaking is violent; the question is whether or not public humiliation should be considered a valid form of political protest.

"The answer is a resounding, enthusiastic "yes!"

"...A civilized marketplace of ideas is a nice sentiment, but it can't exist when some of those ideas are inherently violent. Violent ideologies have no place in civilized society, and the best way to respond to them is not with civilized debate—which suggests such arguments are made in good faith (they never are)—but with outright humiliation. This public humiliation states loud and clear that such ideas are unwelcome in our society, and those who push them will be shamed and excluded until they change their ways."

Milkshaking incidents in America

Portland Antifa

In Portland, Oregon on June 30, 2019 journalist Andy Ngo was one of eight people who needed medical care in the wake of a brawl involving "Milkshaking". In a local article about the events that took place, Olivia Katbi Smith, co-chair of the Portland Democratic Socialists of America, told the Tribune that she hoped to promote the concept of "everyday anti-facism, since "antifa" can be an intimidating term. Arrested included Gage Halupowski, 23, of Oregon City, was charged with first-degree assault, resisting arrest, interference with an officer and attempted assault of a police officer, James Stocks, 21, was charged with harassment, Maria Dehart, 23, was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and harassment.

Amanda Kondrat’yev

On June 1 2019, it was reported that Amanda Kondrat'yev was "charged with battery" after throwing a drink at Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Facebook post from Amanda Kondrat’yev dated May 23 2019.

On four separate days preceeding the attack on Rep. Matt Gaetz, Amanda Kondrat'yev posted many memes on Facebook praising the practice of throwing milkshakes at political opponents.

Other Milkshaking Incidents

On Sept 28 2019, Pro-life politician Justin Barrett was a victim of Milkshaking in Ireland.

References

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