The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned of a potential threat against law enforcement this Halloween. According to an officer safety alert distributed by the New York Police Department, the anarchist group known as National Liberation Militia is planning a nationwide “Halloween Revolt.”
“The group has encouraged and discussed tactics which include acts of disturbance and criminal mischief on Halloween Eve and Halloween Day for the purpose of drawing a police response followed by an ambush on the First Responders,” says the alert.
It adds, “The Anarchists have referenced the use of bricks, bottles and firearms while wearing common Halloween-type masks.”
New York officers are advised that there is no specific threat directed at NYC, but that they should be vigilant.
President Obama defended anti-police movements like Black Lives Matter last week when he told law enforcement officials on Thursday, “There is a specific problem that is happening in the African-American community that is not happening in other communities, and that is a legitimate issue that we’ve got to address.”
“The African-American community is not just making this up. It’s not something that’s just being politicized. It’s real,” Obama said. “We as a society, particularly given our history, have to take this seriously.”
Obama is expected to address police chiefs in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss criminal justice reform and gun control legislation.
Correction: The NYPD alert advised that New York City is not known to be specifically targeted by the threats, but that officers should remain vigilant.