UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE . I II INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN I3 March 20 9 (U) State of the Animal Rights and Environmental Extremist Movements (U) Scope This joint Intelligence Bulletin is intended to provide information on the state of the animal rights and environmental extremist movements.a~b This le is provided by the FBI and DHS for situational awareness and to assist federal, state, local, tribal, campus, and territorial government counterterrorism and law enforcement of?cials in deterring, preventing, or disrupting criminal violence as well as terrorist attacks against the United States. The FBI and DHS define animal rights extremists as those individuals who seek, wholly or in part, through unlawful acts of force or violence. to further their opposition to people, businesses, or government entities perceived to be exploiting or abusing animals. The mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism, use of strong rhetoric. or generalized philosophic embrace of violent tactics may not constitute extremism, and may be constitutionally protected. The FBI and DHS de?ne environmental extremists as those individuals who seek, wholly or in part, through unlawful acts of force or violence. to further their opposition to people, businesses, or government entities perceived to be destroying. degrading. or exploiting the natural environment. The mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism, use of strong rhetoric. or generalized philosophic embrace of violent tactics may not constitute extremism. and may be constitutionally protected. IA-3 I673- I 9 (U) [Recpiemuepmhb?ud?mwheqm (U) OFFICIAL USE oflnfamm?onkl? U.SC 552).ltismbecommled, (U) UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (U) Tactics and Targeting Likely Consistent, Threat Level Likely Steady (U//LES) The FBI and DHS assess the animal rights and environmental extremist movements will likely continue to commit violent acts in furtherance of their ideological beliefs. The majority of violence and criminal activity will likely violate state and local laws, as opposed to federal laws, for the near-term. Both movements remain nonhierarchical and autonomous in nature. Consistent with many other domestic extremist movements, lone offenders and small cells pose the greatest threat of violence. » (U//LES) Animal rights extremists will likely continue to target entities perceived to be harming animals with threats of violence, as well as actions that are significantly disruptive of the industry, including violent crimes such as arson. Typical targets for animal rights extremists include individuals and entities involved in animal research, the fur industry, and businesses selling animal products or involved in confined animal feeding operations.  » (U//LES) In 2017 and 2018, incidents possibly violating federal, state, and local statutes, likely committed by animal rights extremists, occurred in a number of states, including California, Minnesota, Montana, Utah, and Wisconsin. (U//LES) Targeting for environmental extremists in recent years has primarily emanated from opposition to the extraction, use, and transportation of fossil fuels, to include the entities associated with the oil and natural gas (ONG) industry. Most recent criminal activity related to the environmental extremist movement aims to delay or disrupt these construction projects. The FBI and DHS assess opposition to ONG infrastructure development or expansion projects, particularly those near perceived ecologically-sensitive habitats or waterways, will likely remain a continuing driver for ideologically motivated attacks in the near term.  (U//LES) Since 2016, incidents possibly violating federal, state, and local statutes, likely committed by environmental extremists, occurred in a number of states, including Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin. (U) Outlook (U//LES) Compared to some other domestic extremist movements who commit lethal violence, the FBI and DHS assess the currently lower threat level collectively posed by the animal rights and environmental extremist movements is likely the result of a lower number of reported or claimed acts of arson or high-dollar vandalisms in recent years.c The lower threat level is also likely due to the adherence of both movements to their tenets not to physically harm individuals. (U//LES) While overall violence and federal criminal activity associated with animal rights and environmental extremism has decreased, the extremist movements’ stated desire—through open source reporting and FBI investigative reporting—to conduct criminal acts has not waned. (U//FOUO) FBI and DHS define domestic extremists as individuals based and operating entirely within the United States or its territories without direction or inspiration from a foreign terrorist group or other foreign power who seek to further political or social goals, wholly or in part, through unlawful acts of force or violence. The mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism, use of strong rhetoric, or generalized philosophic embrace of violent tactics may not constitute extremism, and may be constitutionally protected. c UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page 2 of 3 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Awareness of historically strong judicial sentences for acts of arson likely has served as a deterrent for some crimes, particularly those that violate federal law. The August 20 8 apprehension of a l2-year fugitive wanted for alleged crimes committed in the late 9905 and early 2000s, to include arson and possession of a destructive device, may serve as a deterrent for domestic extremists as it demonstrates law enforcement?s ongoing commitment to bring those responsible for acts of animal rights and environmental extremism to justice. Additionally, perceived favorable legislation and strong lawful opposition and public sentiment on certain ecological issues or issues of animal cruelty may mitigate the perceived necessity for criminal actions. Criminal actions may possibly increase from predominantly low-level crimes to potentially more dangerous actions if lawful actions are perceived to be ineffective or if a local issue inspires criminal actions nationally or motivates a self-directed extremist to commit violence. Additionally, criminal actions may possibly increase if an in?uential leader, capable of coalescing the extremist movements against a particular cause, emerges and advocates for criminal activity. (U) Report Suspicious Activity (U) To report suspicious activity, law enforcement, private security personnel, and emergency managers should follow established protocols; all other personnel should call 9 I or contact local law enforcement. Suspicious activity reports (SARs) will be forwarded to the appropriate fusion center and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for further action. For more information on the Nationwide SAR Initiative. visit (U) Administrative Note: Law Enforcement Response Information contained in this intelligence bulletin is for of?cial use only. No portion of this bulletin should be released to the media, the general public, or over nonsecure Internet servers. Release of this material could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. (U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document. please contact the Counterterrorism Analysis Section by e-mail at or the ISA Production, Media Services. and Dissemination Branch by e-mail at A.PM@hq.dhs.gov. (U) Tracked by: HSEC-8.2, HSEC-8.3, HSEC-8.5, HSEC-8.8 UNCLASSIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Page3of3 CLASSIFICATION: FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY P101116 1 alld Office of Intelligence and Analysis Secu ri ty Customer Feedback Form Product Title: State of the Animal Rights and Environmental Extremist Movements All survey responses are completely anonymous. No personally identifiable information is captured unless you voluntarily offer personal or contact information in any of the comment fields. Additionally, your responses are combined with those of many others and summarized in a report to further protect your anonymity. 1. Please select partner type: Select One _Select One 2. 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