Terrorist tree huggers

WE SAY: Fear of being labeled terrorists shouldn't stop activists from working for change.

Will Potter, a journalist who recently lectured at IU, used the comparison of the communist witch hunting of the 1980s to elucidate what the government and corporations are doing to environmental and animal rights extremists.

Currently, these groups are the most sought-after “domestic terrorists” by
the FBI.

Why? Arson. Violent civil disobedience. Property damage. Lab raiding escapades to rescue abused animals. Bombings.

These are the extremists.

Potter did not excuse or advocate the extremists’ criminal activity and encourages instead a more peaceful approach, starting a dialogue.

Unfortunately, the witch hunt is dissuading people from approaching activist
objectives altogether.

The government and supporting corporations deal with animal and environmental extremists by waging vicious and sensationalist media campaigns against them, conducting ruthless surveillance, pressing new terrorism laws and sentencing them to lives in prisons created especially for them.

As Potter suggested, this reaction seems disproportionate considering the majority of protests involve little more than nonviolent civil disobedience.

Consequently, peaceful activists are discouraged from pursuing change for fear of being linked with extremists or “domestic terrorists.”

Sept. 11 created a more timid and paranoid country, and our fear is manifesting itself in the ruthless pursuit of these groups.

Potter argued that targeting these groups is more about exerting control about activism than ensuring security from extremism.

He worries that this control will extend to other groups protected by the First Amendment.

Potter challenged the word “terrorist” and its quick, rampant proliferation.
Is criminal activity ever justified? Is extremism always bad, or is that solely what achieves effective change?

These are topics we, as a nation, must consider more thoughtfully.

The Boston Tea Party was an act of extremism, but nobody would take that back. We have a proud past of revolution but are reluctant to return to that place again, dreading its repercussions.

Yet we assert that extremism should not have to be the only way to make your voice heard, and it certainly isn’t the most effective for your cause.

By no means should people be scared into passivity.

America is much larger and much more diverse than it was during the days of the Boston Tea Party.

Considering the multiple, conflicting interests of our nation’s extremely varied citizens, a little controversy is unavoidable.

But no one should be afraid to voice their beliefs simply because they are controversial, and no one should be wary of peacefully protesting.

Americans should not feel forced into extremist activity simply because they are concerned that their voices will not be heard otherwise.