SUV Owners of America Delivers 'Cease and Desist' Petition To Arianna Huffington and Other Anti-SUV Zealots
6,000 plus SUV Owners and Supporters Urge Huffington, Others to Stop Encouraging Domestic Terrorists Like ELF
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 -- Five days after a shocking episode of anti-SUV domestic terrorism in southern California, the SUV Owners of America (SUVOA) is delivering a petition with 6,065 supporter names to activist Arianna Huffington and other anti-SUV zealots, urging they stop encouraging groups like the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), which torched the West Covina auto dealership and has committed other recent acts of violence against SUVs and their owners (see timeline at end of this release).
The petition is being sent to Ms. Huffington, who created the anti-SUV Detroit Project; her colleague Robert Kennedy, Jr., of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Detroit Project; the Rev. Jim Ball, creator of the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign; and Fenton Communications, the public affairs firm behind both the Detroit Project and "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaigns.
"Last week's events underscore a dangerous irony: Huffington's irresponsible efforts to link SUV owners with Mideast terrorists actually are giving aid and comfort to domestic terrorists like those who torched the West Covina dealership," said Ron DeFore, SUVOA communications director. "While Ms. Huffington and like-minded zealots have spent tens of thousands of dollars condemning SUV owners, they refuse to take any responsibility for providing moral cover for radical domestic terrorist groups that have been vandalizing SUVs, homes and apartment buildings."
DeFore stressed the apparent environmental damage caused by the latest ELF attack on the California auto dealer. According to Rick Genovese, fire marshal for West Covina: "There's a lot more pollutants from the fire than the vehicles would pollute during their lifetime. There are hundreds of tons of pollutants that were spilled off." (AP, August 22)
The SUVOA petition and names of its supporters, collected over the prior 45 days, are being delivered today on a CD-ROM. First placed July 14 on SUVOA's Web site (suvoa.com) in conjunction with SUVOA's "What Does Jesus (Rivera) Drive?" advertisement, the petition reads:
"We are SUV owners. Like 24 million other Americans, we drive SUVs because they provide us with safety, comfort, utility and versatility. Facts show that SUVs are safe and clean.
"We use these vehicles to safely transport our children, carpool, go on vacation, tow boats and campers, carry home supplies or simply travel in comfort. We are the people who hospitals call in snow emergencies and community leaders count on after disasters. We are families and friends, citizens of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, small business owners and trades people.
"As Americans, we have a right to choose the vehicle that best meets our needs.
"We are joining together and asking you to stop your personal attacks against those of us who drive SUVs. It is shameful and offensive when you imply that God disapproves of us or that we support terrorists.
"Worse yet, such misguided and highly personal attacks give comfort and justification to those, like the Earth Liberation Front, who torch SUVs, smear them with animal waste or vandalize them in countless other ways and then brag about it on their website.
"It's time for your attacks to stop."
Huffington's delivery was shipped to her estate in Brentwood, California. SUVOA's DeFore noted that California residents drive more SUVs than in any other state with more than three million of the 24 million SUVs in this country. One out of every 10 Californians drives an SUV.
SUVOA was formed to give voice to the 24 million SUV owners whose rights are being trampled by special interests and activist groups, as well as to provide consumers with practical information about their SUVs. Founded in 1999, the group actively defends the rights of SUV owners and rebuts false charges regarding SUVs' safety and environmental record.
Since re-launching the new SUVOA Web site in May, the group has accumulated 16,818 supporters.
Fact sheets addressing key safety and environmental issues are available at www.suvoa.com .
The SUV-Bashing Timeline
(Domestic Terrorism Events with Asterisks)
1999 SUVOA founded by a retired businessman from Wisconsin tired of SUVs constantly getting attacked in the media.
October 21, 2000 Robert Lind of San Francisco discusses his vigilante bumper sticker campaign against SUVs on National Public Radio.
March 30, 2001 * More than 30 Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes scorched or destroyed in $1 million Oregon fire. "Anonymous" group takes credit.
June 20, 2001 Union of Concerned Scientists releases "Drilling in Detroit," criticizing SUVs.
July 4, 2001 * The Earth Liberation Front (ELF) takes responsibility for the destruction of eight Ford Expeditions by arson at Michigan Ford dealership.
November 24, 2001 Robert Kennedy, Jr., senior attorney for the NRDC, joins the anti-SUV camp, speaking out against SUVs in a New York Times op-ed.
July 2002 * The ELF continues campaign of domestic terrorism on SUV owners by launching a wave of destruction in Richmond, Virginia.
September 17, 2002 Release of new book attacking SUVs: "High and Mighty: SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way."
October 21, 2002 Columnist Arianna Huffington writes a column suggesting a link between SUVs and terrorism.
Fall 2002 Americans for Fuel Efficient Cars (AFEC) is co-founded by Arianna Huffington. The group attacks SUVs, linking SUVs to funding terrorism.
November 20, 2002 Rev. Jim Ball and the Evangelist Environmental Network (EEN) jump on the anti-SUV bandwagon and launch the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign.
November 27, 2002 * The ELF takes credit for the destruction of 40 SUVs in Richmond, Virginia (dating back to July 2002).
January 2003 The Detroit Project, started by the AFEC, releases to media copy of commercial linking SUVs to terrorism.
January 2, 2003 * The ELF takes credit for the destruction of SUVs at a Pennsylvania dealership.
January 29, 2003 Bashing SUVs, Robert Kennedy, Jr. appears on the Today Show.
May 7, 2003 The Detroit Project and the NRDC release an ad claiming Detroit has the answer to increase fuel efficiency, but is keeping it a secret.
May 28, 2003 "What Would Jesus Drive?" begins a tour of the "Bible Belt."
July 14, 2003 "What Would Jesus Drive?" tour is scheduled final stop in Washington D.C.
August 1, 2003 * The ELF takes credit for torching a huge apartment complex under construction in San Diego, California.
August 22, 2003 * The ELF destroys 20 SUVs and a building in arson fire at an auto dealership in West Covina, California.
