Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom. Terrorists bypass established institutions (such as courts), using violence against citizens to force changes in society and force governments to change policies toward their cause.
Terrorists might use weapons of mass destruction, which include toxic or poisonous chemicals, disease organisms, dangerous radiation, explosive incendiary or poison gas bombs, grenades, rockets or missiles, mines or similar devices. Terrorists also use traditional weapons such as automatic guns or grenades in armed attacks on targets, but have also used non-conventional means to carry out attacks, like the use of a rental truck to strike a crowd of people celebrating Bastille day in France in 2016.
Here in Oregon terrorism seems like an unlikely event, but we do have a history. The 2010 bomb plot to attack the tree lighting ceremony in Portland, the 1984 Rajneeshee biological terror attack in the Dalles, and the series of attacks by the Earth and Animal Liberation Front throughout Oregon including the burning of the Oakridge Ranger Station and the destruction of logging equipment, and spiking of sale timber in Clatskanie in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Here in Clatsop County, a backpack bomb came close to killing a number of people, and an eco-terrorist attacks against mink farm facilities have occurred as recently as 2008.
Videos and Public Service Announcements
- "If You See Something - Say Something"
- "Saboteurs claim responsibility for torching former mink farm near Astoria"
- "Suspect In Astoria Bombings Kills Self Small Bombs Detonated At Coffee Shops; One Other Person Hurt"