The Justice Department recently announced that federal prosecutors indicted 11 people participating in a campaign of domestic terrorism on behalf of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) movements in the United States. Last summer and again with the indictment, Director Robert Mueller said the FBI considers eco-terrorism a top priority in its efforts to confront terrorism.

Eco-terrorist groups engage in acts of violence, sabotage and property damage motivated by the concern for animals or the environment. They are accused of causing over a hundred million dollars in damage in the past 2 decades. However, no one has ever lost their life as a result of their attacks. The groups claim to adhere to a policy to avoid harm to humans.

How do we define violence and terrorism? Is property damage on the same level as violence that physically injures or kills people? Should acts which are destructive to property but intentionally avoid harm to human beings be considered terrorism?

Join us this week at Café Society to share your reaction to eco-terrorism.

This Week’s Articles

• America’s Homegrown Terrorists
  
• Domestic Security and the Culture of Fear
  
  The Eco-Terror Hoax
  
• Domestic Terror: Who’s Most Dangerous
  
• Stepping Up the Attack on Green Activists
  
• Vilified as ?Terrorists,’ Eco-activists Face New Offensive by Business
  

For more informaiton, please contact Kristin Millikan at 312.422.5580.