Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Had a debate yesterday with some people regarding the blocking of the Minneapolis Airport (and hence the Mall of America and the stores in Chicago)
Some claim that the protests can be considered domestic terrorism because they are used to "intimidate the civilian population". So, I looked up the definition and I think they might have a point...
Under current United States law, set forth in the USA PATRIOT Act, acts of domestic terrorism are those which: "(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) appear to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States."[2]
Had a debate yesterday with some people regarding the blocking of the Minneapolis Airport (and hence the Mall of America and the stores in Chicago)
Some claim that the protests can be considered domestic terrorism because they are used to "intimidate the civilian population". So, I looked up the definition and I think they might have a point...
Under current United States law, set forth in the USA PATRIOT Act, acts of domestic terrorism are those which: "(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) appear to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States."[2]
You do realize you completely missed the first portion of the definition:
(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State
The definition is not A or B or (i) or (ii) or ....
It is A AND B (of which must fall within one of the sub-definitions i, ii, or iii) AND C
So the answer is NO, unless you can show that the demonstrations were a danger to human life.
You are treading on very dangerous ground if you want to redefine domestic terrorism to only need the (i) definition.
The Patriot Act has one of about 72 different defintions of terrorism. But the OP asked whether it could be considered terrorism. Under several definitions, it could be considered terrorism, including LS35a's definition.
However, to get a conviction for any offense, the government has to prove each and every element of the offense. TampaBull13's point goes to that requirement. The first element is that there was an act, the second element is that the act endangered human life, the third element is that the act violated criminal laws... and then it adds a whole other set of elements under B.
So considered to be domestic terrorism? Sure, if you are so inclined.
But getting a conviction would be a 'no.'
(Not familiar with Illinois civil law, but a lawsuit for interfering with lawful commerce - or something like that - might fly...)
What happens when an ambulance gets caught up in a protest and the person in the ambulance dies because he/she was not able to receive medical help in time. That otherwise would have been very treatable if no roads were blocked.
What happens when an ambulance gets caught up in a protest and the person in the ambulance dies because he/she was not able to receive medical help in time. That otherwise would have been very treatable if no roads were blocked.
What happens when an ambulance get's caught in a parade or a politician's motorcade?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
