But back in 1977, Nader had different views. Interviewed by New York City's Village Voice in its April 4, 1977, issue, he defended violence in words he now would probably like the country to forget. "What activists [attacking nuclear reactors] are trying to do is make new law based on the settled Anglo-Saxon tradition of self-defense," Nader said. "That is, if someone tries to break into your house you can retaliate lawfully. In the case of a nuclear reactor, the self-defense is projective. But what are you going to do: Wait until radioactivity is all over the place? Shouldn't you destroy property before it destroys you? Here you are violating a minor law to get judgment on a more important one."