ACLJ decries Bush era Homeland Security report calling anti-abortion activists extremists

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.examiner.com/x-2071-DC-Special-Interests-Examiner~y2009m4d19-ACLJ-decries-Bush-era-Homeland-Security-report-calling-antiabortion-activists-extremists?cid=exrss-DC-Special-Interests-Examiner

April 19, 7:03 AM

The American Center for Law and Justice responded to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that labels anti-abortion activists as ‘extremists’. The report ordered by the Bush administration is, according to the group: “outrageous and raises serious questions about the leadership and direction of an agency that’s goal is to protect Americans against a very real terrorist threat.”

“This is an outrageous characterization that raises serious questions about the leadership and direction of the agency charged with protecting Americans in the ongoing battle against terrorism,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “Why would the Department of Homeland Security single out groups like pro-life supporters when they should be focusing on identifying and apprehending the real terrorists – like al-Qaeda – groups that have vowed to destroy America? This characterization is not only offensive to millions of Americans who hold constitutionally-protected views opposing abortion – but also raises serious concerns about the political agenda of an agency with a mandate to protect America.”

Issued on April 7th, the DHS warning is entitled: Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.
Included in its assessment is this reference to specific groups including those who believe that the government should control women’s health choices:

“Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

Sekulow says the ACLJ is preparing a legal analysis and will be launching a nationwide campaign in the days ahead to demand that the DHS remove the reference from its warning.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VEjCmQ1ldQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.examiner.com%2Fx-2071-DC-Special-Interests-Examiner~y2009m4d19-ACLJ-decries-Bush-era-Homeland-Security-report-calli&feature=player_embedded

[peacebird]

1. anti-abortion activists have bombed clinics, murdered doctors, and routinely harass women at clinics

They can't really complain about the classification - many acts of violence and mayhem have been committed by anti-abortion activists.

[TahitiNut]

2. "The American Center for Law & Justice was founded in 1990 by evangelical Pat Robertson ..."

'Nuf said. FUCK 'em.

:shrug:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Center_for_Law_&_Justice

[Maccagirl]

3. The next fund-raising letter from Jay and Co.

It will be a real barn-burner, and the idiots will be sending the $$$ in droves.