NewsTurtle Island Liberation Front quartet charged for California NYE bomb plotPro-Palestine, antigovernment, anti-colonial group accused of targeting immigration agents and companies in ‘massive and horrific terror plot’.
Federal authorities have arrested four individuals associated with a left-wing group in connection with an alleged bomb plot targeting immigration agents and companies in California. The arrests were announced on Mon, Oct 16, 2023, by US Attorney General…
Federal authorities have arrested four individuals associated with a left-wing group in connection with an alleged bomb plot targeting immigration agents and companies in California. The arrests were announced on Mon, Oct 16, 2023, by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stated that the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had thwarted a significant terror plot orchestrated by the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
The Turtle Island Liberation Front is described as a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group. According to Bondi, the group was planning a series of bombings against multiple targets in California, set to begin on New Year’s Eve. Targets included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their vehicles.
The individuals charged are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They face charges of conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, with additional charges anticipated.
The suspects, all residents of the Los Angeles area, were apprehended on Fri, Oct 13, 2023, in the Mojave Desert as they allegedly worked on the plot. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli reported that surveillance footage captured the suspects moving a large object in the desert. The group was arrested before they could construct a functional explosive device.
Federal authorities have arrested four individuals associated with a left-wing group in connection with an alleged bomb plot targeting immigration agents and companies in California.
According to Essayli, Carroll had devised a plan to bomb at least five locations, including two logistics centers in the Los Angeles area, timed to coincide with New Year’s Eve celebrations. The plan involved deploying backpacks filled with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to be detonated simultaneously with fireworks at midnight.
The complaint further reveals that two suspects had discussed plans to target ICE agents and vehicles with pipe bombs early next year.
The Turtle Island Liberation Front claims to advocate for the "liberation of all colonized peoples." The term "Turtle Island" is used by some Indigenous peoples to describe North America, based on creation stories where the continent was formed on the back of a giant turtle. The group has a small social media presence and has organized campaigns against ICE detentions and deportations, as well as anti-colonial issues.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell acknowledged that while federal and local officials may have differing views on immigration enforcement, they collaborate to ensure the safety of residents.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
