Domestic Terrorism
Select a domestic terror group that has been active in recent years and describe it. If you have difficulty selecting an appropriate group, consider environmental groups, animal rights groups, ethnic hate groups, or anti-abortion groups. Your discussion of the selected group should cover the following:
Provide a description of the group’s motivation, goals, and membership.
Describe an example of an action that the group has taken that would meet the definitions of terrorism.
Analyze whether this group is gaining strength. What are the factors that will influence whether this group grows in strength or weakens?
Describe the efforts of law enforcement to combat the group.
Propose strategies for the government to deal with this group in the future. Keep in mind that there may be things the government can do to address the group’s underlying motivations – think beyond “law enforcement.” Be sure that any proposals you offer are constitutional and realistic.
Sample Answer
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is a white supremacist hate group that has been active in the United States since the late 1800s. The KKK has been responsible for numerous acts of violence, including lynchings, bombings, and arson. In the 2000s, the KKK has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents, including the murder of James Byrd Jr. in Jasper, Texas, in 1998.