Political Violence

man in gray crew neck t-shirt sitting beside boy in red and white crew neck
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on July 1, 2019 and last updated on February 4, 2023

Conservative writer, Andy Ngo, was attacked by antifascists at demonstrations in Portland, Oregon this weekend (29th June 2019).

His presence at the demonstration was not welcomed by parts of Antifa who proceeded to violently attack him as well as throw milkshakes, eggs and other liquids on him leading to him to be hospitalised with a suspected bleed to the brain.

You can read the full story at Yahoo News

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • violence (noun)
  • attack (verb)
  • fascist (noun)
  • violent (adjective)
  • acceptable (adjective)
  • demonstration (noun)
  • demonstrate (verb)
  • hospitalise (verb)
  • self-defense (noun)
  • unnaceptable (adjective)

Conversation Questions

  • Is political violence ever acceptable?
  • Do you think the actions against Andy Ngo were acceptable?
  • Why do you think Antifa attacked him in this way?
  • Is there a point when violence becomes the only option?
  • What do you think inspires people to be so violent?
  • What can be done to try and stop political violence like this?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.