Were Castro Valley Ranchers Targeted By Ecoterrorists?
Posted: 7:30 am PDT April 24, 2006Updated: 8:27 am PDT April 24, 2006
CASTRO VALLEY -- Ranchers in rural Castro Valley awoke this weekend to graffiti on horse trailers, a street sign and a for sale sign touting the 'ALF' -- the renegade Animal Liberation Front.Rancher Jim Grimes said the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and FBI were investigating whether or not the graffiti was actually the work of the eco-terrorist group."We don't mistreat animals -- people wouldn't stand for that," said Grimes who boards horses. "I've been around animals all my life and you don't get anywhere with them by mistreating them…It either was kids who had nothing better to do or this outfit ought to move on."Graffiti was spray painted on one of Grimes horse trailers, a nearby street sign and a for sale sign on a nearby ranch.While the messages on Grimes property were simply the initials "Alf" the ranch for sale sign had an ominous "Burn It" painted on it.
The FBI has intensified its efforts to curtail and arrest ALF members since January when 11 people were indicted in a series of arsons in five Western states. The 65-count indictment said the suspects are responsible for 17 incidents in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, including sabotaging a high-tension power line, in a conspiracy that dates back to 1996. "The indictment tells a story of four-and-a-half years of arson, vandalism, violence and destruction claimed to have been executed on behalf of the Animal Liberation Front or Earth Liberation Front, extremist movements known to support acts of domestic terrorism," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said at a news conference. Appearing with Gonzales, FBI Director Robert Mueller declared, "Terrorism is terrorism, no matter what the motive." Using improvised incendiary devices made from milk jugs, petroleum products and homemade timers, the ecoterrorists carried out attacks between 1996 and 2001, the indictment alleged.Targets included U.S. Forest Service ranger stations, U.S. Bureau of Land Management wild horse facilities, lumber companies, meat processing companies, a ski area and the power line
The FBI has intensified its efforts to curtail and arrest ALF members since January when 11 people were indicted in a series of arsons in five Western states. The 65-count indictment said the suspects are responsible for 17 incidents in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, including sabotaging a high-tension power line, in a conspiracy that dates back to 1996. "The indictment tells a story of four-and-a-half years of arson, vandalism, violence and destruction claimed to have been executed on behalf of the Animal Liberation Front or Earth Liberation Front, extremist movements known to support acts of domestic terrorism," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said at a news conference. Appearing with Gonzales, FBI Director Robert Mueller declared, "Terrorism is terrorism, no matter what the motive." Using improvised incendiary devices made from milk jugs, petroleum products and homemade timers, the ecoterrorists carried out attacks between 1996 and 2001, the indictment alleged.Targets included U.S. Forest Service ranger stations, U.S. Bureau of Land Management wild horse facilities, lumber companies, meat processing companies, a ski area and the power line Copyright 2007 by KTVU.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Tahoe Days, Reno Nights 
Access The Diamond Certified Directory
Bay Area Crime Reports 
10 Ways To Boost Your Confidence
Earthquake Reports 
Celebrity Gossip 
Take The Drama Out Of Home Buying
