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Terrorist Walk Among Us

Prepared by Charles Feer, JD, MPA

- Dept. of Criminal Justice, Bakersfield College

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Terrorist Walk Among UsMost Americans hear the word

“terrorism” and they think of passenger planes slamming into the World Trade Center in New York.

They don’t all have long beards and turbans and live in caves in Afghanistan.

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Recent Terror Acts

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Historical Perspective of TerrorismTerrorism was scattered

throughout history with attacks against the United States’ domestic and international interest.

Consider the assassinations of President Lincoln (1863) and McKinley (1901).

The enemy is not one person, a single political regime nor a religion

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Terrorism Defined (FBI)

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the U.S. for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom.

Terrorism Defined (FBI)

Terrorist often use threats to create fear among the public, to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless in preventing terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes.

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Domestic TerrorismThe unlawful or threatened use of

force or violence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the United States (and / or its territories, i.e. Puerto Rico), without foreign direction, and whose acts are directed at elements of the U.S. Government and / or its population, in furtherance of political or social goals.

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Types of Domestic Terrorist

Right WingLeft WingSpecial interest “Lone Wolf”

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Right Wing

The rightist division of a group or party individuals sometimes professing opposition to change in the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and sometimes advocating the forced establishment of authoritarian order.

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Right Wing Terrorism

Often adhere to conservative or reactionary principles.

Such groups endorse racial supremacy, and / or embrace antigovernment and antiregulatory beliefs.

Patriot movements, militias and “common-law” groups.

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Right Wing Terror Groups

Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis, Skinheads, Christian Identify, Black Separatist and other religious hate groups.

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Left Wing

The leftist division of a group (as a political party) those professing views usually characterized by desire to reform or overthrow the established order especially in politics and usually advocating change in the name of the greater freedom or well-being of the common man. (Radical position)

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Left Wing Terrorism Profess a revolutionary socialist

doctrine and view themselves as protectors of the people against the “dehumanizing effects” of capitalism and imperialism.

They are responsible for bombings, assassinations, robberies and planned attacks on infrastructure targets.

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Left Wing Terrorism

Puerto Rican extremist group FALN bombed El Barrio in East Harlem New York in 1974.

Los Machetoros attacked bank offices in Rio Piedras and Santa Isabel in June, 1998.

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Special Interest

Extreme groups who seek to resolve specific issues, rather than affect more widespread political change.

These groups occupy the extreme fringes of animal rights, pro-life, environmental, antinuclear and other political and social movements.

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Special Interest Terrorism

Since 1990, more than 1200 criminal incidents were claimed by animal and environmental rights extremists.

Tactics range from spray-paint vandalizing to fire-bombings.

Animal Liberation Front (ALF), Earth Liberation Front (ELF) are considered Eco-terrorists.

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Lone Wolf

Lone individuals have their own motivations and agenda.

They are not supported by group activities, but may draw a few coconspirators in with them.

i.e. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. (Oklahoma City Bombing)

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Lone Wolf Terrorism

McVeigh’s retaliation motive (for the FBI assault on Ruby Ridge and ATF assault at Waco) led him to believe that bombing federal buildings prevented the government from continuing with its work.

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Lone Wolf Terrorism Eric Robert Rudolph seemingly

targeted abortionists and homosexuals.

He believed that by carrying out his attacks, he could influence the government to change laws and policy.

He stated, “I believe that abortion is murder… that force is justified in an attempt to stop it.”

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International TerrorismThe unlawful use of force or

violence committed by a group or individual, who has some connection to a foreign power or whose activities transcend national boundaries, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

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al-Qaeda An international terrorist

organization founded in the late 1980’s, by Osama bin Laden and Muhammad Atef.

OBL claims credit for beating USSR out of Afghanistan.

OBL asked Saudi Arabia to let him and his Mujahideen defend Kuwait from Iraq. (He was told Pound Sand)

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al-Qaeda

al-Qaeda calls for the use of violence and force bringing about the end of non-Islamic governments, and in particular, a wish to drive the U.S. armed forces out of Saudi Arabia and Somalia.

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al-Qaeda Establishing training camps in

areas such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

al-Qaeda is responsible for the proliferating of terrorists throughout the world, and providing them with equipment and financing.

al-Qaeda has become a “movement” (philosophy).

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al-Qaedaal-Qaeda and bin Laden

demonstrate dedication to the fatwa.

Extreme Muslims live to die. They are patient, they believe they

are in a 1000 year war. (30 – 40 years between battles is not a great period of time.)

WTC attacks 1993 and 2001.

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HizballahAlso known as the Islamic Jihad,

Revolutionary Justice Organization, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, and the Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine.

Advocates the ultimate establishment of Islamic rule in Lebanon and liberating all “occupied” Arab lands, as well as the elimination of Israel.

Allied with Iran (al Shura law)

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HizballahCampaigns against the U.S. include

suicide truck bombing of U.S. Embassy in April, 1983, bombing U.S. Marine Barracks in Oct. 1983, and bombing U.S. Embassy Annex in Sept. 1984 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Kidnappings of U.S. and other western hostages in Lebanon.

Three members of Hizballah are on FBI’s most wanted list for 1985 hijacking TWA Flt. 847 where U.S. Navy Diver was killed.

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Nature of TerrorismEight Stages of Terrorist PlotRecruitFinanceWeaponDate & Time of AttackLocationSurveillanceMeans of AttackEscape (?)

PredictionsWill occur within the next few

months. No more hijacking airplanes. (Govt.

has shut that door and people will not sit by ever again.)

Suicide and non-suicide bombers. Attack Airports, leaving luggage

where people are checking in.Hotels, valet - parking a bomb.

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Predictions

Theme ParksCasinos Stadiums Shopping Malls Subways and Trains - Train

Stations

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Predictions

Schools and School BusesSimultaneous detonations / attacks

around the country.

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Is California a Target?

Public / Government Buildings

Mass TransitCommunication

FacilitiesUtilities

Water SupplyFood ProductionRecreational

FacilitiesMallsStadiumsUniversities &

Schools

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War on Terror

When the next terror attack occurs, (the next WTC) where do we fire a cruise missile to?

Terrorist are all over the world and are right here in America.

War on Terror

Deter

Detect

Delay

Defeat

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War on Terror

We all must answer the threat.DiligenceKnow your surroundings and the

people in it. Pay attention to detail.Report suspicious activity.

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- Nuclear / Radiological Incident Annex, 5/19/09, Emergency Management Institute / FEMA IS-836

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