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'There is a Use for Violence in Our Movement'
'There is a Use for Violence in Our Movement'
North American Animal Liberation Press Office
http://www.animalliberationpressoffice.org
'There is a Use for Violence in Our Movement'
By Aaron Mannes Published 08/0005
With the recent bombings in London, most concerns about terrorist strikes on the US focus on the jihadist movement. But the next major terrorist strike in the US could come from an unexpected direction -- the extremist animal rights and environmental movements.
According to FBI Deputy Assistant Director John Lewis, the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) are "one of today's most serious domestic terrorism threats." Skeptics, including The New York Times editorial page, argue that this threat is over hyped as these groups have confined themselves to property crime, unlike the well-established record of deadly right-wing terrorism. But waiting for terrorist groups to turn to murder is pre-9/11 thinking and the growing violence and sophistication of ALF and ELF are worrisome.
The FBI's Lewis testified to the Senate:
"Attacks are also growing in frequency and size. Harassing phone calls and vandalism now co-exist with improvised explosive devices and personal threats to employees. ? Extremists of these movements adhere to strict security measures in both their communications and their operations."
The membership is well educated with many graduate students in their ranks. ALF and ELF are a non-hierarchical group with self-forming autonomous cells that are in one-way contact with the "press offices." The press offices provide ideological and practical guidance and participate in conferences where members can be recruited and trained. Cells, in turn, report actions to the press offices by anonymous e-mail. Closing the press offices has limited utility, since it is easy to start another website while breaking up a cell has minimal impact on the movement as a whole. These are not the operations of amateur coffeehouse revolutionaries, but of a sophisticated underground network of dedicated members.
Equally troubling, the internal rhetoric of the movement is shifting. Traditionally ALF freed lab and farm animals, insisting that they would never purposefully harm a human. But affiliated groups in Europe have beaten opponents, and Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn's assassin was an animal rights activist. At an August 2003 Animal Rights Conference in Los Angeles, an ALF spokesman, Dr. Jerry Vlasak, stated:
"I think there is a use for violence in our movement. And I think it can be an effective strategy. Not only is it morally acceptable. ? I don't think you'd have to kill -- assassinate -- too many vivisectors before you would see a marked decrease in the amount of vivisection going on."
When an audience member stated that this was the same as the pro-life movement killing abortionists, Vlasak responded, "Absolutely, I think they've had a great strategy going."
The ALF and ELF worldview is also expanding. Their rhetoric (which can be read on a number of websites including http://www.animalliberationfront.com) has become infused with Marxist and anarchist ideology, criticizing the familiar litany of globalization, American imperialism and capitalism. In March 2003, just before the Iraq war, ELF ideologue Craig Rosebraugh called for, "strategies and tactics which severely disrupt the war machine, the U.S. economy, and the overall functioning of U.S. society." In his book, The Logic of Political Violence, Rosebraugh wrote: "[R]evolution in the United States ? cannot be successful without the implementation of violence." Transferring ALF's and ELF's enemies from particular industries and companies to society as a whole could inspire larger scale terrorist attacks.
ALF and ELF could also link with international terrorists as they have affiliates in Europe and connections to the radical left internationally. Daniel Andreas San Diego (who is on the FBI's most wanted list for a series of attempted 2003 bombings of animal research facilities) demonstrated this kinship when he sent an e-mail claiming credit for the bombings that ended with a salute to international terrorists, including the Real IRA, Columbia's FARC and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (which is closely linked with the Islamist terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah). Such links would increase ELF and ALF capabilities and radicalism and could lead to Americans being recruited to international terrorist groups.
Domestic terrorism from the right has been far more deadly than domestic terrorism from the left and law enforcement has responded appropriately. Rightwing extremist groups are monitored and infiltrated. But ALF and ELF have been less vulnerable to law enforcement countermeasures, consequently they are more likely to undertake a major operation successfully. Downplaying the threat of ALF and ELF by arguing that these groups have not yet perpetrated Oklahoma City type attacks ignores the seminal lesson of 9/11. These groups need to be stopped before they turn to large-scale violence.
http://www.animalliberationpressoffice.org
'There is a Use for Violence in Our Movement'
By Aaron Mannes Published 08/0005
With the recent bombings in London, most concerns about terrorist strikes on the US focus on the jihadist movement. But the next major terrorist strike in the US could come from an unexpected direction -- the extremist animal rights and environmental movements.
According to FBI Deputy Assistant Director John Lewis, the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) are "one of today's most serious domestic terrorism threats." Skeptics, including The New York Times editorial page, argue that this threat is over hyped as these groups have confined themselves to property crime, unlike the well-established record of deadly right-wing terrorism. But waiting for terrorist groups to turn to murder is pre-9/11 thinking and the growing violence and sophistication of ALF and ELF are worrisome.
The FBI's Lewis testified to the Senate:
"Attacks are also growing in frequency and size. Harassing phone calls and vandalism now co-exist with improvised explosive devices and personal threats to employees. ? Extremists of these movements adhere to strict security measures in both their communications and their operations."
The membership is well educated with many graduate students in their ranks. ALF and ELF are a non-hierarchical group with self-forming autonomous cells that are in one-way contact with the "press offices." The press offices provide ideological and practical guidance and participate in conferences where members can be recruited and trained. Cells, in turn, report actions to the press offices by anonymous e-mail. Closing the press offices has limited utility, since it is easy to start another website while breaking up a cell has minimal impact on the movement as a whole. These are not the operations of amateur coffeehouse revolutionaries, but of a sophisticated underground network of dedicated members.
Equally troubling, the internal rhetoric of the movement is shifting. Traditionally ALF freed lab and farm animals, insisting that they would never purposefully harm a human. But affiliated groups in Europe have beaten opponents, and Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn's assassin was an animal rights activist. At an August 2003 Animal Rights Conference in Los Angeles, an ALF spokesman, Dr. Jerry Vlasak, stated:
"I think there is a use for violence in our movement. And I think it can be an effective strategy. Not only is it morally acceptable. ? I don't think you'd have to kill -- assassinate -- too many vivisectors before you would see a marked decrease in the amount of vivisection going on."
When an audience member stated that this was the same as the pro-life movement killing abortionists, Vlasak responded, "Absolutely, I think they've had a great strategy going."
The ALF and ELF worldview is also expanding. Their rhetoric (which can be read on a number of websites including http://www.animalliberationfront.com) has become infused with Marxist and anarchist ideology, criticizing the familiar litany of globalization, American imperialism and capitalism. In March 2003, just before the Iraq war, ELF ideologue Craig Rosebraugh called for, "strategies and tactics which severely disrupt the war machine, the U.S. economy, and the overall functioning of U.S. society." In his book, The Logic of Political Violence, Rosebraugh wrote: "[R]evolution in the United States ? cannot be successful without the implementation of violence." Transferring ALF's and ELF's enemies from particular industries and companies to society as a whole could inspire larger scale terrorist attacks.
ALF and ELF could also link with international terrorists as they have affiliates in Europe and connections to the radical left internationally. Daniel Andreas San Diego (who is on the FBI's most wanted list for a series of attempted 2003 bombings of animal research facilities) demonstrated this kinship when he sent an e-mail claiming credit for the bombings that ended with a salute to international terrorists, including the Real IRA, Columbia's FARC and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (which is closely linked with the Islamist terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah). Such links would increase ELF and ALF capabilities and radicalism and could lead to Americans being recruited to international terrorist groups.
Domestic terrorism from the right has been far more deadly than domestic terrorism from the left and law enforcement has responded appropriately. Rightwing extremist groups are monitored and infiltrated. But ALF and ELF have been less vulnerable to law enforcement countermeasures, consequently they are more likely to undertake a major operation successfully. Downplaying the threat of ALF and ELF by arguing that these groups have not yet perpetrated Oklahoma City type attacks ignores the seminal lesson of 9/11. These groups need to be stopped before they turn to large-scale violence.
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The picture up top is of a guy by the name of Tre Arrow. Real scary motherfucker, isn't he? He's been accused of "eco-terrorism" (burning logging equipment) and is awaiting extradition in Canada. His story continues at the bottom. It's a really good example of how the feds are using their "war on terrorism" bullshit to launch a total war against direct environmental action, which is NOT terrorism! Look at the argument being used against him. Since when does burning a machine count as "terrorism?" Since the "left" all became plastic-brained lemmings, perchance? Prior to the 'mindless rodent' phase of American leftism, this sort of thing was called arson for, what, 500 years? Jesus, people, wake the fuck up! After all the anti-Orwellian content that's passed through here over the past few years, how can you still be falling for garbage like this? You don't watch television, I hope...? Oh, maaan....
That'll do it every time
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Media as the Judge: the case of accused 'Eco-Terrorist' Tre Arrow
American Environmentalist and refugee hopeful Tre Arrow has been incarcerated in Canada for over a year now. While awaiting an extradition hearing which would see him returned to his native country, the United States, Tre's case has gained international attention. Last spring, Tre held an astonishing 44 day hunger strike in “solidarity with all those suffering around the world as a result of corporate agendas which leave in their wake poisoned water, contaminated air and lack of adequate food.” Tre was reduced to a deathly 81 pounds. His lawyer, Rudolf Kischer, told the Globe and Mail, “He looks like a Holocaust victim, it [is] horrifying.”
The United States Government is seeking Tre's extradition in connection with the destruction of logging equipment in Oregon, 2001. But Tre clearly states, “I am innocent of the charges the US government is trying to pin on me. Just as many activists have experienced, I am being targeted by the US government and the FBI, not because I am guilty, but because I have chosen to challenge the status quo.” The Crown’s main evidence against Tre is the testimony of Jacob Sherman. Sherman, who was convicted of the crimes, received a plea bargain after four days of intense FBI interrogation. Sherman received an unheard of 3 /1/2 years in prison which was contingent on his testimony that paints Tre Arrow as the mastermind of the crimes.
This case is highly political, and Tre is repeatedly and constantly referred to in the Corporate Media as an ‘Eco-Terrorist’. Although Judge James Redden in his ruling on the 2001 arson case against Jacob Sherman, stated that “The term 'terrorist' is not to be used in reference to this case or the defendants,” the FBI and the Corporate Media continue to sell news and divide the movement by branding Tre as an 'Eco-Terrorist'. Trial, in the Corporate Media court, discredits innocent individuals and destroys the legal premise of “innocent until proven guilty.” The term 'Terrorist' is currently by far the best selling word in the Corporate Media, and by using the word 'Terrorist', the media has instills a level of fear that can convict an individual before the trial even starts.
Throughout April, Ben Shannon, spokespersons for the Tre Arrow Defense Committee will be traveling throughout B.C. speaking tour entitled: “The Media as the Judge: The case of accused 'Eco-Terrorist' Tre Arrow.” The Corporate Media plays a consequential role in Tre's case and his life by already indicting, trying and convicting Tre. In refusing to use the words 'accused', 'alleged' or even 'suggested' before calling Tre an 'Eco-Terrorist', they are implying that he has had a trial and been convicted. Tre has never stepped one foot into a court room to face these charges, let a lone been convicted of them. Stating that an individuals is guilty before their trial is undemocratic and unjust. By playing this game, the Corporate Media has been able to convince society across the continent that Tre is an 'Eco-Terrorist'.
The Media as the Judge speaking tour will be touring around B.C. speaking about the Corporate Media's role in Tre case, as well as the reasons why Tre is facing the possible of spending the rest of his life behind bars for the alleged crimes of arson. What is happening to Tre could conceivably happen to any hardworking defender of the planet and its people. By supporting him in this time of need, we show each other and ourselves, that friends will not be left behind. Solidarity with Political Prisoners starts at home. If Tre is extradited, he will face up to 80 years in a US prison. No one is free until we are all free.