09-1526 & 09-1615 U.S. v. Christianson

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Sentencing
Terrorist enhancement

Members of the Earth Liberation Front convicted of destroying government property properly received sentence enhancements for terrorism.
"Here, the purpose behind defendants' actions was to further ELF's political agenda: the end to industrial society. The method they chose to communicate this desire was not a peaceful protest with speeches, songs, and a petition outside the facility but instead a violent attack against the facility and the experiments. Because the defendants do not look the part of our current conception of a terrorist does not separate them from that company. Indeed, it doesn't matter why the defendants oppose capitalism and the United States government-if they use violence and intimidation to further their views, they are terrorists. Despite Rivera's denial that he is a person who uses violence and intimidation to serve his political ends, the evidence sufficiently defines him as a terrorist, and the enhancement is appropriate."
Affirmed.

09-1526 & 09-1615 U.S. v. Christianson

Appeals from the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Crabb, J., Manion, J.