The CNN photo was taken in Manhattan. Al Qaeda Web sites are becoming more bold. While the threat is unconfirmed, it illustrates the point that life is changing in the U.S. DEBKAfile, an Israel web site has reported increased terrorist chatter directed to the U.S. on the web. But some local messages may be even more direct.
An Arabic-themed school (Khalil Gibran International Academy) is set to open in New York this September. The school's principal, Debbie Almontaser, recently resigned after she was criticized for being part of group selling shirts which displayed the words "Intifada NYC." The Arabic root apparently means "shaking off." However, word has been associated with the violent uprising in Palestine.
45 students are enrolled in Khalil Gibran International Academy. The school intends to teach 6th through 12th grade. The language spoke in the school will be Arabic. Almontaser resigned Friday after refusing to condemn the T-shirts. A New York Post Editorial helped bring attention to the issue. Some argue the purpose of the shirts is to call for a Gaza-style uprising in New York. While Mayor Michael Bloomberg would not call Almonstaser a terrorist, he did feel her resignation was the "right thing to do." But even without Almonstaser as the principle, all her supporters are still present and the T-shirts are not going away any time soon.
Are "Intifada NYC" T-shirts a threat of terrorism? Would other nations allow such "free speech?"
Update 3-19-08 : Legal Pub was asked what constitutes the crime of a terrorist threat. The following should not be construed as legal advice:
Since 9/11, the crime of terrorist threats has become a serious offense. Terrorist threats are usally defined as threats to commit an act of violence intended to threaten or intimidate another individual with reckless disregard of the risks. Even if threats are hoaxes, the consequences can be very serious. Federal statutes make criminal threats punishable by fine of $250,000 and five years in a federal prison.
A common legal definition of a terrorist threat includes:
-Willfully makes a threat
a. to commit a crime that will result in death or great harm.
b. with the intent that it be taken as a threat.
c. that is so unequivocal and specific as to convey a grave purpose and immediate prospect for execution.
d. that caused reasonable fear in the victim.
State and federal law enforcement agencies may use the charge of “terrorist” or “criminal” threat to prosecute a variety of different crimes, including: hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats, and school violence. (State law may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.)
Those charged with any crime are encouraged to contact an experienced lawyer in their local jurisdiction.
Posts
16 comments:
.
Wow, Awesome story. I did not know about the t-shirts. Why don't other cities screen for radiation?
Jill
I agree Pubmeister, Saturdays are becoming a deep thinking day. I would not have linked the two events but for your story.
Now I wonder, freedom of speach is permitted. But treason is not. Why not call a grand jury and see if these t-shirt promoters are guilty of treason.
All it takes for evil to prevail is for a few good men to do nothing.
(I borrowed that from our new great poster L.S.)
Ralph
I think you hit the point. The U.S. is changing. Our police and Homeland security need to change in accordance with the times.
Make advocacy of terrorism a crime. Punish terrorists with swift death.
George
Language in school should be English. Let's put it to a vote (referendum?) Don't like the results? Fine, leave. Leave now!
Will
Will,
although I agree that English should be the language taught. How do you stop a "private" school from teaching whatever language they choose. What would we do with all the Hebrew schools? It irks me that these "bad people who hate us and our country" are using our laws to hurt us. It kinda reminds me of the movie "Cape Fear" where the villain could never be caught because he never broke the law. . . as far as the news of a dirty bomb, that scares me to death because word in the beltway is that we are awaiting another attack this summer. God help us.
First, Ms. C, there are conflicting reports whether the school is indeed public. It may be receiving gov funds and it certainly has sought the approval of the board of public education.
But even if it ultimately is determined to be private ( but I don't think that is a given) these scum bags are promoting terror. Time to do a little preventitive medicine?
Will
The liberals who protect these terrorists by fighting the laws against terrorism and the CIA are going to get us all killed. Liberals need to wake up now! And obviously public schools should teach in English and not promote hate messages for t-shirts. This is all just common sense, and few Americans possess this.
Undercover right winger from Berkeley, CA
Well…well…this is a slippery non-PC slope is it not?
Are these t-shirts….merely, in and of themselves a threat?…I’d say no.
But one cannot…shouldn’t… be so foolish as to take a real world event out of context.
There are those in the world (how ever you wish to reference them) who believe that their view of Islam is to only possible worldview and that it must be implemented globally and all who disagree must die. Period.
Now, I understand that there is much debate about what to do about that…but it would be foolish to disregard or dismiss the very real threat. If they get nuclear weapons…they will use them. If they get biological weapons…they will use them. They will kill you and yours in anyway they can without hesitation or deliberation. Their way or death. Period.
Now, in light of the fact that these __________ (fill in your favorite name, I like Islamofascist) want us (well, all those who are not them) dead, and they have hit NY already, and now people want to walk around with these shirts?
Hell, what about a “throw ‘em in the oven, Hitler” shirt during WWII?
Or, “good shot James Earl Ray” the day after MLK died?
No, there is free speech and there are fighting words. I say the t-shirts are fighting words and a threat to the peace. Oh, and throw in treason…as they advocate violent overthrow of the government.
Would other nations allow this? Not unless they’re stupid!
Sorry, I’ve got to say any intimation in support of violent overthrow of our constitutional government must be dealt with harshly.
Want to change it? Fine…do so with the voting box…not a bomb!
BTW, in case you can’t tell it….I’m singularly unimpressed by “the religion of peace”.
L.S.
The answer is this...
An Indian, a Muslim and a Cowboy were outside of a gas station talking. The Indian said, "we were once many and now we are few." The Muslim said, "we were once few and now we are many. Why do you think that is the case?"
The cowboy lowered the brim of his hat and replied," Maybe we just aint started playing Cowboys and Muslims yet."
Surfer Dude
I’m not a big fan of violence. In fact, I work (dare I say fight?) hard all day to avoid it. Conflict resolution absent violence is a good thing.
But it’s a different matter when somebody offers you violence because they want something from you and quite another when they only want your death. The first involves resolving differences, the second is survival.
I don’t advocate offering violence towards others because you disagree with them (in spite of the fighting words t-shirt)…that is wrong. But I do advocate swiftly and violently killing those who try to kill you.
BTW…as part of my typical digression (I did it again didn’t I?…must be my ADD!) check out this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBflQLa75C8
L.S.
L.S.
I enjoyed the recruiting video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBflQLa75C8
Quite frankly, the message is good. America is made up of all different types. But if an outsider picks on one of us, he must deal with all of America and its diversity.
Surfer Dude, Maybe L.S. will teach his children your version of Cowboys...
To me, those are fighting words.
Seems like a dirty bomb is unacceptable. Clean bombs, however are ok because we encourage tidiness!
Recent terrorist threats out of Egypt. Hey, how will the world ever become a better place with more violence?
We need leaders willing to take terrorism head on...
I have been asked what constitutes the crime of a terrorist threat. The following should not be construed as legal advice:
Since 9/11, the crime of terrorist threats has become a serious offense. Terrorist threats are usally defined as threats to commit an act of violence intended to threaten or intimidate another individual with reckless disregard of the risks. Even if threats are hoaxes, the consequences can be very serious. Federal statutes make criminal threats punishable by fine of $250,000 and five years in a federal prison.
A common legal definition of a terrorist threat includes:
-willfully makes a threat to commit a crime that will result in death or great harm.
_the threat was made with the intent that it be taken as a threat.
-the threat is so unequivocal and specific as to convey a grave purpose and immediate prospect of execution.
-the threat actually caused reasonable fear in the victim.
State and federal law enforcement agencies may use the charge of “terrorist” or “criminal” threat to prosecute a variety of different crimes, including:hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats, and school violence. (Note state law may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.)
Those charged with crimes are encouraged to contact an experienced lawyer in their local jurisdiction.
Post a Comment