NCJ Number
117147
Date Published
1988
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Despite the overall decline in domestic terrorism there are several trends which are cause for concern.
Abstract
Right-wing extremist groups pose the most serious threat. They have shown that they will use violence in their pursuit of goals, and some, under the Aryan Nations umbrella, have formed the first truely nationwide terrorist network in this country. The right-wing terrorist movement has shown that it can withstand pressure from the heightened attention by law enforcement agencies, can rebound from setbacks, and can continue to carve out a whites-only homeland. The Aryan Nations have embarked on a campaign to attract new recruits and supporters. They have set up regional "missionary/political outreach" centers, and have targeted for recruitment members of skinhead groups. American skinhead's ideology involves a mixture of xenophobia, racial and religious bigotry, and an affinity for Nazism. This relationship between the two groups is disturbing because the number of skinheads is increasing, thus providing a larger pool of recruits for the white supremacists. The Aryan Nations have expanded activities into prisons with the publication of a newsletter which espouses their ideals. The Ku Klux Klan has also been increasing its activities. Right-wing extremists may be driven by increasing pressure from law enforcement agencies to commit increasingly bold attacks that are potentially more lethal and destructive. The Puerto Rican separatists will continue to pose a threat as they have done for many years, and there is also a threat from Islamic elements who may be preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in the United States for Palestinian terrorist organizations and for Anti-American Middle Eastern countries. 54 notes.