Eco-Terrorism in California - Essay Example

One element that confirms that the group who set fire to SUVs in California must be labeled as eco-terrorists is that members of the group who claimed responsibility were identified and labeled as “a loose association of militant environmentalists” (Tamaki, Chong, and Lansberg, par. 2). These groups of people are considered eco-terrorists because they wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people in the guise of protecting nature and the environment. Group like the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), which was responsible for the SUV vandalism believes “that the human species is perpetrating a war on nature and that those who are connected to nature and belong to it have a right to defend themselves” (FoxNews.com, par 10). As such, as environmentally oriented, the members of the group are not merely terrorists but fall under the eco-terrorist classification or category.

Eco-terrorists sow terror on many people through acts similar to political terrorists such as arson, bombings, vandalism, and harassment, and destroy millions worth of properties.  Again, the descriptions satisfied the element in the definition of the term as the members use arson against innocent victims through the destruction of property (SUVs). The FBI estimates that the damages of the attacks of eco-terrorists amount to more than $100 million (FoxNews.com, par 6). Likewise, as revealed in one of the featured stories on the official website of the FBI entitled “Violence in the Name of the Environment: The Case of the Calculating Eco-Terrorist” (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), “ELF has even boasted on its website that its members racked up some 55 million dollars in damages in 2003 through illegal anti-development and SUV dealership attacks” (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) par. 5).

Eco-terrorists tend to target companies that they feel are doing damage to nature. This is evident in their attack against some SUV dealerships in California which they set on fire (Shpritz, par 1). They consider SUVs as pollutants because of their poor fuel efficiency. Likewise, as revealed on the official FBI website, “The ELF advocates "monkeywrenching," a euphemism for acts of sabotage and property destruction against industries and other entities perceived to be damaging to the natural environment” (FBI, par. 10). The members of the ELF were also reported to have engaged “in significant intelligence gathering against potential targets, including the review of industry/trade publications, photographic/video surveillance of potential targets, and posting details about potential targets on the internet” (FBI, par. 11). As such, the targets were explicitly stated as organizations, both private and public, which were deemed to promote products and services that pose threats to the environment.

These facts all support the conclusion that the group of people who set fire to SUVs in California should be labeled as “eco-terrorists” due to primary motive, group ideals, the targets for their violent actions, and the damage inflicted, as a whole. Even if the group’s ideals were supposed to protect the environment, their means to enhance public awareness have been deemed as totally destructive and contrary to human rights. As aptly summed by the FBI, “environmental activists who engage in violent acts such as arson are misguided zealots. The FBI respects encourages and protects people who peacefully exercise their right to free speech. But we will relentlessly investigate and bring to justice extremists who commit violent acts, which put the lives of innocent citizens at risk" (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, par. 6). As such their actions warrant the imposition of appropriate sanctions, as deemed necessary.