Black Community, others shut down Nazi march, riot against police in Toledo, Ohio

http://images.indymedia.org/imc/cleveland/toledomovie.wmv

Wow, that video glorifies idiotic behavior.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/20/063149.php



Domestic Terrorism in a Nutshell

Posted by Jim Fielder on October 20, 2005 06:31 AM


Blood in the Face: The Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Nazi Skinheads, and the Rise of a New White Culture

James Ridgeway
BookRelease date: December, 1995


Last Thursday I taught an anti-terrorism class , with one of my major highlights being domestic terrorism groups--such as the National Socialist Movement (or "America's Nazi Party") mentioned below. My key point during that portion of the curriculum was terrorism isn't just about young Middle Eastern males, but can also be home grown (and the image most folks have about international terrorism is also far more complex, but that's an article for another time).



I first discussed the well-knowns such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations and World Church of the Creator--names most of the class could grasp. Then I threw in the Black Panther Party, Nation of Islam, and the 5 Percenters--all now or once-labeled Black hate groups. Talk about a storm of controversy; the class could've talked for hours about racial hate issues! But that wasn't the point: all the groups listed, regardless of race, religion or creed, fall (or once fell) under thee FBI's definition of domestic terrorism:



"Activities that involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any state; appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States."

To further break down the category, domestic terrorists are divided into 3 groups:



Right Wing - Terrorism motivated by opposition to federal regulation, the United Nations and other international organizations, the U.S. government itself, and hatred of racial and religious minorities. Think the KKK or Christian Patriot Movement.



Left Wing - Terrorist activity by anti-capitalist revolutionary groups. The most notable but now mostly defunct Weather Underground, Symbionese Liberation Army, and Armed Forces for Puerto Rican National Liberation (FALN) were the most notorious of these groups (the FALN is the only group of the three still active, albeit much scaled back). Depending on who you talk to, the various state militia groups (Republic of Texas, Montana Freemen...) belong in this category as well, although I think you could make a strong argument for classifying them as Right Wing.



Special Interest - In short, "eco-terrorists," i.e. the Earth Liberation Front or Anti-Vivisection Society. Not exactly a bunch of killers, but groups such as ELF has caused millions of dollars in infrastructure damage throughout the US.



Of course, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter; indeed, although I can be very easily repulsed by the KKK, it can see myself rooting for the ELF operative who burns down an eyesore of a mansion built on pristine Colorado land. But I still must rationally consider that, no matter my support for or anger against a given group, such groups are tracked by domestic law enforcement because they've killed or maimed people and/or destroyed property to further their political aims.



In addition, such groups often don't have to do anything overtly violent to get their message on media outlets. Just look at the National Socialist Movement: all they had to do was show up. Yes, they may have earned a blurb on FOX just for marching, but the riot really got the NSM some press. Detractors such as myself will look at them as rabblerousers, while closet supports will point to how. "the blacks caused all the violence." As sad argument, to be sure--but still a potential recruitment tactic.



The final point we discussed, then, is where do you draw the line between domestic terrorism and criminality? Simple: the FBI considers domestic terrorism to be domestic criminal acts. Where it gets vague, though, is when an analyst has to make the connection of an act to an existing group, new group, or just a bunch of ne'er-do-wells with no group agenda and just involved in petty vandalism (although not petty through the eyes of the victim, I'm sure).



Lots of questions to ask, indeed--and how ironic this march happened mere days after my course. I'll leave you with one final point to drive the topic home--according to the FBI Christian right wing groups pose the most serious domestic threat.

What happenned to the four messages posted here earlier?

Indymedia is the last place I would expect to censor dissenting viewpoints.