SUV Owners of America Statement in Support of Proposed Legislation Making Acts of Environmental Terrorism a Federal Crime
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2003 -- Rep. Chris Chocola of Indiana introduced the Stop Terrorism of Property (STOP) Act of 2003 legislation on Thursday, October 16 that would make acts of environmental terrorism a federal crime. This bill would send a clear and direct message to groups like the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) that their hate-filled activities will not be tolerated. The following statement is attributable to Jason H. Vines, SUVOA President:
"Groups like these are referred to as ecoterrorists. But, they're not eco-anything. The fires they start at dealerships, apartment buildings and homes cause more environmental damage than a state full of vehicles. They are simply terrorists. If you want to add an adjective, call them domestic terrorists.
"Meanwhile, other 'non-violent' anti-SUV activist groups are also generating media coverage but are creating an atmosphere for these domestic terrorists where it is open season on SUV owners and their vehicles. While we believe these non-violent groups do not condone the activities of the ELF, we believe that their actions, such as the six recent incidents across the country where ELF has directly attacked SUVs, are equally misguided and destructive.
"We support the Chocola-sponsored bill and call on those who have disagreed with us on the SUV issue to vocally and visibly support the bill against these domestic terrorists. We urge them to affirm their support by calling Rep. Chocola's Washington office at 202-225-3915.
"This list includes:
-- Arianna Huffington, Laurie David, Ariel Emanuel, Lawrence Bender, founders of the Detroit Project.
-- Rev. Jim Ball and Robert Edgar of the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN).
-- Robert Kennedy, Jr. of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Detroit Project.
-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus -- Joan Claybrook and Public Citizen -- The Sierra Club
-- Fenton Communications, the group behind the 'What Would Jesus Drive?' campaign and the Detroit Project's ads.
"We hope that they will be as vocal in support of the bill as they have been in demonizing the SUV and SUV owners."
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.
Oct. 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.
September 2, 2003* Twenty SUVs are damaged at a dealership in Houston,
Texas.
September 5, 2003* Twelve SUVs are damaged at a dealership in Santa Fe,
New Mexico.
September 22, 2003* The ELF Press Office releases a statement calling the
FBI's arrest and subsequent release of a suspect in
the Southern California arson fires "harassment" and
urging its members to show "solidarity and support"
for activists.
September 25, 2003* ELF claims responsibility for a homemade incendiary
device found at the Ice Mountain Spring Water Co.'s
pumping station in Western Michigan.
