The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned Catholic dioceses of a threat of “extreme violence” against churches following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade decision.
The DHS document, which was labeled an “urgent memo,” was acquired by Newsweek after being sent to all U.S. Catholic Dioceses internally. Newsweek reports that DHS warned of a planned “Night of Rage” should the court rule against Roe. Now Churches are preparing for possible backlash.
The Memo
According to the memo, DHS agent Jesse Rangel first warned the Diocese of Stockton, California, after discovering a manifesto from an “extremist group” that threatened attacks on churches. DHS warns that these attacks could take place throughout the country and that the group called for such acts to begin at 8 PM on the night of the Supreme Court Decision.
The memo does not identify which group made the threats, but it described them as “large groups with cells nationwide.” These cells have been reportedly “casing” parishes in order to better plan and coordinate attacks. The memo suggested churches brace themselves for the possibility of being attacked, the memo reads:
“Make sure you have ushers and or security available during your services and perhaps identify who among your volunteers and parishioners are law enforcement,” the memo continues. “Suspicious activity would include someone asking out of place questions (Largest Mass times? Doors always open? Do you have security?), looking around church property, protestors, and general disturbances.”
DC Fliers
In Washington, D.C., authorities have been noticing a similar call for a “night of rage” in the form of fliers posted on public surfaces. Labeled as a “call to action,” these fliers direct readers to “hit the streets” and remind them that “you said you would riot.” Signed by “Jane’s Revenge,” they bear the slogan that has been left painted on many attacked pregnancy help centers and churches in recent weeks:
“To our oppressors: If abortions aren’t safe, you’re not either.”
Jane’s Revenge
The FBI is still in the midst of an investigation of attacks on churches and pro-life organizations in recent weeks that have been linked to the group Jane’s Revenge. This group, whose moniker was drawn from the anonymous “Jane Roe” of Roe v. Wade, has taken credit for firebombing a crisis pregnancy center in Wisconsin and has been linked to incidents at similar locations in New York, North Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Iowa.
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