HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE REPORT….

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The purpose of the 2009 Terrorism Threat Assessment is to convey potential terrorism threats affecting the Commonwealth of Virginia. Terrorism, for the purpose of this report, is defined as politically motivated violence or threat of violence designed to coerce action or to prevent others from taking intended actions

…the threat from terrorist and extremist groups can be categorized as international or domestic threats. …The domestic terrorist threat is comprised of a wide variety of groups, to include special interest groups, anarchists, race-based groups, including black separatists and white supremacists, militias and sovereign citizens, and homegrown extremists… identified activities have been limited primarily to non-violent acts and crimes committed to raise funds to finance group activities.

SOME OF THE GROUPS TARGETED

(Keep in mind they IDENTIFY the GROUP BY the ACTIVITY! So, if you engage in ANY of these ACTIVITIES… you are a TERRORIST Threat!)

PAGE 43: Domestic Terrorism Threat
Although often overshadowed by the threat of international extremism, domestic threat groups are viewed as a more significant threat to the Commonwealth due to the increased number of threat groups and the elevated number of incidents.

PAGE 44: Anarchist Extremists
Anarchist extremists adhere to the anti-government movement which rejects governmental rule…
Many of the individuals who comprise this movement in Virginia are college age youth or college students, mostly located in the Richmond and Harrisonburg areas.

PAGE 45: Anonymous
A “loose coalition of Internet denizens“, Anonymous consists largely of users from multiple internet sites
Internet vigilantism reports – Self-identified Anonymous members tracked down and helped authorities capture an online sexual predator (I GUESS IF YOU HELP SOLVE A CRIME YOU ARE A TERRORIST?)

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The Virginia anarchist community, either organized or individualized, typically displays a higher degree of technical sophistication than other groups. While Virginia has not yet experienced a significant physical event, the potential for movements like Anonymous to launch a cyber attack exists.

PAGE 58: Lone Wolf Extremists
“incidents that suggest potential lone wolf activity included suspicious subjects with weapons or attempts to possess weapons, threatening behavior, and paramilitary training activities.”

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In 2004, the FBI identified the lone actor or lone wolf terrorist as the most significant domestic terrorism threat over the next five years. “They typically draw ideological inspiration from formal terrorist organizations, but operate on the fringes of those movements. Despite their ad hoc nature and generally limited resources, they can mount high-profile, extremely destructive attacks, and their operational planning is often difficult to detect.”

PAGE 60: Militia Extremists
With the increase in controversy surrounding illegal immigration and terrorism concerns, militia groups which seek to defend their members independent of government control could constitute a threat to authority in the Commonwealth. Generally, members of such groups have viewed the federal authorities as their primary enemy; however, state and local governments may also beperceived threats. The paramilitary nature of these groups and their heavily armed condition create an environment of potential conflict. Militia groups have been known to train for armed struggle against authorities, resist government authorities, and amass arms.

Wythe County and Western Virginia Community College noted internet postings of potential concern. Previously reported Militia presence in Virginia has included Bedford and Lexington. Recent activities have included the online promotion of a rifle and pistol marksmanship training on December 20, 2008121 and a Winter Survival exercise on January 16-17, 2009 at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area by a Virginia Citizen Militia affiliate. In mid-February, a citizen posted a call to action on Richmond’s Craigslist advertising the formation of a new group, the Vara Assault Force, with a website of www.vamilitia.ning.com.oo This group appears to have been started as a direct result of the founder’s frustration with the Obama administration.

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Attack Capability: Low – All available intelligence suggests that Virginia-based militia groups have focused on defensive, rather than offensive strategies.
Membership/Influence: Potential Increase – Membership and support for militias could increase if the Obama administration proposes or enacts legislation to curtail private ownership of firearms and related equipment.

PAGE 62: Anti-Abortion Extremists
The anti-abortion extremist movement is comprised of radical individuals dedicated to changing the laws protecting abortion using violence, if necessary. In recent years, law enforcement has received increased reported incidents nationwide at Planned Parenthood centers, possibly by antiabortion activists. Incidents have included harassing phone calls, suspicious inquiries, possible surveillance, recovered incendiary devices, and direct threats to employees.

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Attack Capability: Likely to Increase – The election of a pro-choice president may encourage more violence by extremists or incite violence by previously non-violent activists.
Fundraising Activities: Increasing – Fundraising activities in radical anti-abortion groups appear to be increasing due to anticipated policy changes expected from the Obama administration.

PAGE 80: Cyber-crime and Cyber-terrorism

PAGE 114: Potential Threat Group(s)
In Virginia, domestic movements such as anarchists and environmental or animal rights extremist groups show the greatest innovation. Characterized as loosely affiliated cells of activists, Anonymous communicates via Internet message boards and networking websites. The group also uses forums in which they target individuals by engaging in cyber attacks and has been affiliated with white powder incidents.

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No credible, current intelligence exists that indicates individuals are utilizing websites on the Internet for pre-operational surveillance on Virginia targets. However, the Internet has allowed operatives to search seemingly benign websites for crucial information that when presented alone is of no risk, but when coupled with other information can provide abundant information on possible targets.

PAGE 118: Terrorist Use of Technology
The primary uses for technology, outside of the terrorist attack cycle, include connecting and influencing people and acquiring and managing logistics. Increased connectivity and interactive applications not only increase the ability for group members to share ideas and information, but they also afford groups the opportunity to reach large numbers of prospective supporters from a range of geographic locations. In addition to connecting networks of like-minded people, terror and extremist groups have also used technological assets to disseminate messages against ‘target’ audiences. These networks can then be leveraged, either through commonly used applications such as Ebay or PayPal, or devices such as mobile phones to generate or move funds or supplies on behalf of the group. (SOUNDS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA/ IMTERNET MARKETING!!!)

PAGE 119: Potential Threat Group
By their very nature, individuals belonging to terror or extremist groups have a need or desire to communicate which is often facilitated through electronic means. Typically, larger, more established groups display higher levels of sophistication due to greater financial resources and the likelihood of members with specialized knowledge. Advanced technological knowledge and skills are also common within groups that have a strong presence of college-aged members, regardless of their core ideology

PAGE 120: Internet
Internet technology has emerged as the preferred medium for extremist communication and is increasingly being exploited to assist terrorists in achieving their goals. The Internet is used to recruit and radicalize supporters to play a more active role in support of terrorist activities or causes. Both international and domestic groups have provided online membership applications and pledge forms which may be filled out and submitted by would-be members. Some groups also solicit funds on their websites through donations as well as the sale of various items, including publications and audio and visual media. Extremist groups also actively use web forums, blogs, and social networking sites such as YouTube, MySpace, IslamTube, Google Video, and TWITTER to post hate videos and games, motivational speeches, and other propaganda via blogs and emails, which espouse extremist ideology and perspectives.  (ISLAMTUBE???)

PAGE 128: Key Radicalization Nodes in Radical U.S. Movements

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The Virginia Fusion Center has received several reports of interest concerning the Federal Reserve Building, including:

• An individual was observed photographing the Richmond Federal Reserve Building as well as Riverfront Plaza. When questioned, the individual claimed to be in Richmond attending a conference in the area.
• An individual was observed taking pictures of the Federal Reserve Building and the parking deck near the Federal Reserve Building.
• An individual walked onto Federal Reserve Property carrying two knapsacks and a cell phone. The individual approached an officer and inquired if the location was the Federal Reserve. The individual then claimed to be an employee of the bank and wanted to approach the bank.
• Suspicious documents recovered from a VA DOC inmate contained newspaper articles referencing the Federal Reserve.
• On April 1, 2008 and April 15, 2008, the Richmond Federal Reserve Building was a target location for protests regarding a movement to abolish the Federal Reserve and the IRS, and a revolution against American politics.
• As the Federal Reserve System is perceived to be a symbol of the American economy and its location is near several points of interest, the Federal Reserve Building will continue to be the focus of such activities.

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There is no intelligence information indicating any specific or credible plans regarding an imminent threat to the Commonwealth from the identified threat groups; however, a majority of these groups are actively recruiting and fundraising in the U.S. The presence of terrorist groups in the Commonwealth poses an inherent threat given a majority of these groups espouse antigovernment beliefs, have a propensity for violent attacks, and have openly expressed an interest in attacks against the U.S. and U.S. interests.

Although differences in religious and ideological beliefs may pose significant barriers to cooperation, shared animosity, and the fostering of relationships between like-minded groups is cause for concern.

AGAIN… They are TARGETING… Behavior and Activity! So, if you do any of the above…

“YOU ARE A BIGGER THREAT TO VIRGINIA THAN ANY INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST!”

Which raises a “whole host of questions”… Like… why are we in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Why is the Media not Reporting on THE REAL Threat that Law Enforcement is being trained for? WHY?