SUV Owners of America Call on Attorney General Ashcroft To Take Action Against Escalating Domestic Eco-Terrorism

     Statement Attributable to Ron DeFore, SUVOA Communications Director

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of
America (SUVOA) today called on Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary
of Homeland Security Tom Ridge to step up intelligence and federal enforcement
action against The Earth Liberation Front (ELF), a militant environmental
group, that today defiantly took responsibility for destroying sport utility
vehicles (SUVs) at a Santa Fe, NM Land Rover dealership, and U.S. Forest
Service construction equipment.
    The President told the nation, 'We have the terrorists on the run.  We're
keeping them on the run.  One by one, the terrorists are learning the meaning
of American justice.'  Unfortunately within our borders a roving band of eco-
terrorists is indeed on the run -- to the next SUV dealership or owner that
they have targeted for devastation.
    This is just the latest in an escalating series of attacks aimed at SUV
owners and businesses by eco-terrorists that operate with impunity from within
our borders.  It's just a matter of time before their actions cause personal
injuries or loss of life.
    While security is heightened at airports and countless other vulnerable
facilities around the nation, we must not overlook organized terrorism not
linked to al Qaeda but threatening domestic security just the same.  Terrorism
is terrorism, plain and simple.  If we are truly at war against terrorism of
all kinds, increased federal resources must be brought to bear against this
dangerous organization.
    The group this week released a list claiming responsibility for 75 such
acts of domestic terrorism and claimed responsibility for some 75 other
domestic terrorist acts around the country.  To date, SUVs have been destroyed
at dealerships in California, Texas and Virginia, in addition to the latest
incident in New Mexico.  On its Web site, the group boasts of causing upward
of $55 million in damages for acts of terrorism.
    Last week, in Richmond, VA three men pleaded guilty to vandalizing SUVs at
construction sites and fast food restaurants.  They admitted that their
actions were conducted on behalf of ELF.  Their criminal acts caused more than
$200,000 in damages to SUV owners and businesses.
    The FBI, which considers the Earth Liberation Front as its No. 1 domestic
terrorism priority, is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism to the Santa Fe
Land Rover dealership.
    SUV owners should not let these cowardly acts shake their confidence in
their choice of vehicles which are among the safest available, in addition to
providing them with exceptional versatility.
    SUVOA was formed to give voice to the 24 million SUV owners whose rights
are being trampled by special interest 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 the safety and environmental record of SUVs.  For more
information, visit http://www.suvoa.com .

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