the ALF set incendiary devices in a truck belonging to the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Haertel Company
firebombs set in four trucks and the main offices of the Agricultural Fur Breeders' Co-op in Sandy, Utah
rock and incendiary device thrown through the window of Flemington Fur Company in Flemington, New Jersey
Hundreds of other cases of vandalism and arson claimed by ALF and other militant animal rights groups have gone unsolved.
These are already considered criminal actions, vandalism and arson.
FBI director Louis Freeh
Isn't Louis Freeh the same joker who wrote and approved the Rules of Engagement for the operation conducted against Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge, unleashing the FBI and sniper Lon Horiuchi to kill Weavers' son and wife?
My inquiry stands: Why does everything need to be considered terrorism these days? ALF IS a criminal organisation and they deserve what they get. But, IMO, to label every crime or group as terrorist will only incite undue fear.
Let's look at the definition used in the post to which I replied: "definition: Terrorism: political violence; violence or the threat of violence, especially bombing, kidnapping, and assassination, carried out for political purposes."
In the examples cited above, and in others, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), is known to promulgate violent acts against not only fur ranchers, but on animal research facilities, and on others who make their living by working with or by using animals. They do this to promote a different political philosophy, ie, that animals have the same intrinsic value as do human beings, and that animals should be given equal status to people.
Look at the following quotes from a number of animal rights activists:
"If we really believe that animals have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course we're going to be, as a movement, blowing things up and smashing windows ... I think it's a great way to bring about animal liberation ... I think it would be great if all of the fast-food outlets, slaughterhouses, these laboratories, and the banks that fund them exploded tomorrow. I think it's perfectly appropriate for people to take bricks and toss them through the windows. ... Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it." Bruce Friedrich, PeTA's director of Vegan Outreach, Animal Rights Conference, 2001
"It won't ruin our movement if someone gets killed in an animal rights action. It's going to happen sooner or later. The Animal Liberation Front, the Earth Liberation Front -- sooner or later there's going to be someone getting hurt. And we have to accept that fact. It's going to happen. It's not going to hurt our movement. Our movement will go on. And it's important that we not let the bully pulpit of the FBI and the other oppression agencies stop us from what we're doing. They are the violent ones. They are the terrorists ... we have to keep doing what we're doing." Jerry Vlasak, PCRM spokesman and Director of ADL, speaking at the Animal Rights 2004 convention (July 8-11).
"Hit them in their personal lives, visit their homes . Actively target U.S. military establishments within the United States... strike hard and fast and retreat in anonymity. Select another location, strike again hard and fast and quickly retreat in anonymity ... Do not get caught. DO NOT GET CAUGHT. Do not get sent to jail. Stay alert, keep active, and keep fighting." Craig Rosenbraugh, radical animal rights spokesperson for terrorism and a recipient of PeTA funds, in Open letter to activists, published on the Independent Media Center website, March 17, 2003
"Today's terrorist is tomorrow's freedom fighter." Kevin Kjonaas, National Director and spokesperson, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty USA (SHAC USA) Animal Rights 2002 Convention, June 30, 2002
"I am convinced that we can shut down a lot of these animal abuse industries whether the public agrees with it or not. And whether these industries are shut down by violent or non-violent acts in the end, to me, doesn't really matter. David Barbarash, Spokesperson for the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) No Compromise, BBC Documentary, "Beastly Business" (October 1, 2000)