FBI Warns of Possible Terror Attacks on July 4

Reuters ^ | June 19, 2002 02:47 PM ET

[RoughDobermann]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI recently has warned its field offices about possible terrorist attacks at July 4 celebrations, bureau officials said on Wednesday.

They emphasized there was no specific or credible information an attack was planned on Independence Day, but said July 4 was a significant date in U.S. history and terrorist groups in the past have used such dates to carry out attacks.

The officials said the FBI warned all of its 56 field offices out of an abundance of caution, a policy it has adopted after the Sept. 11 hijacked plane attacks that killed about 3,000 people.

"It's a big holiday. People tend to gather for parades or fireworks. Some of the celebrations draw large crowds with celebrities and political leaders," one official said.

The officials said FBI field offices were told to make sure appropriate security measures are in place and should develop contingency planes in case a terrorist attack occurs on July 4.

Such warnings to develop contingency plans are fairly common, they said.

For example, they have been used for special events, like the Super Bowl football game, and have been issued for April 19, the date of the Oklahoma City bombing and the deadly raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.

The FBI advisory to its field offices fell short of a formal alert, like the one in April warning of possible terrorist attacks on banks.

Last month, the FBI issued a number of warnings, including one on the possible use of scuba divers by terrorists to launch an attack. It also warned of possible threats against landmarks in New York, including the Statue of Liberty.

[Husker24]

Too obvious, I dont think anything will happen on the 4th.

[billhilly]

should develop contingency planes.......Huh?

[WellsFargo94]

I feel bad for the FBI, they're darned if they do and darned if they don't.

[Doomonyou]

Big deal. These "alerts" are worthless. Life goes on as usual, I for one am never going to change any plans I make based on a possible terrorist attack. If they had any decent information about such an event, it would be snuffed out before the fact. The FBI should just shut up and quit "warning" us in an effort to show the world they are actually doing something.

[mickeylee]

I'm guessing July 11th.

[CindyDawg]

Why? Should we stay out of 7-11"s ? lol

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

People will still carry on as they were going to anyway.

Screw the terrorists, damn if folks should sit around in fear.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

LOL they took em over. No more slurpees. The gas stations up north and the 7 11's down south are their domain.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[brityank]

They emphasized there was no specific or credible information an attack was planned on Independence Day, but said July 4 was a significant date in U.S. history and terrorist groups in the past have used such dates to carry out attacks.

I know I'm not that knowledgeable on American History, but just when was the last 'terrorist attack' made that coincided with a 'significant date'? Reichstag, anyone?

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[John W]

April 19,1995?

[piasa]

I don't know, but Hillary was in Prague, Czechoslavikia on a July Fourth giving a speech on Voice of America...is that close enough to an act of terrorism to count?

[brityank]

April 19,1995?

And the significance is ... ... ?

[brityank]

Screaching Harpy Assault!!

[piasa]

I think he's referring to this:

April 19, 1995 Bomb rips through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, killed 168 and injured more than 500.

[tbird1]

Typical California response----Earthquakes will do that to you