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Australian Christian Lobby headquarters rammed by van filled with gas bottles in 'targeted attack'
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) ^ | 22nd December 2016

Posted on 12/21/2016 2:56:35 PM PST by naturalman1975

A van filled with gas bottles has exploded after it rammed into the headquarters of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in what the managing director has called an "attack on free speech".

ACL managing director Lyle Shelton tweeted the incident last night, saying a vehicle had rammed its office in Canberra just after 9:30pm.

Mr Shelton added that staff were safe, and photos he shared showed a burnt-out van in the car park near the building's entrance.

It remains unclear whether the incident was an accident or a targeted attack, but ACT police have confirmed they are investigating.

Police also said the male driver of the vehicle was the only person injured and that he had been taken to Canberra Hospital for treatment.

In its only reference to the incident, ACT Fire and Rescue's website said emergency crews had attended a fire at the building in Deakin.

Mr Shelton said he was shocked this could happen in Australia and described the explosion as a "targeted attack".

"There is no doubt in my mind that ACL was the target," he said.

"Obviously we don't know the motives of the person who drove this van, but we have received a number of death threats and threats of violence over the course of this year that we have reported to police.

(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: islam; uselessmsm
An earlier thread.

I would just like to reiterate a comment I made in that thread because (unsurprisingly) some people are wondering why if this was an attack, the media seems to consider it more likely to relate to something like same sex marriage, rather than an Islamic terrorist attack. It's because of the specific profile of the ACL - it's important to understand that the ACL is probably the single most prominent group opposing same sex marriage in Australia. It is explicitly what they are known for in the public arena. So it is not surprising at all that that is the issue immediately identified by the media as likely being connected to any potential attack on the group. The second most likely is their opposition to various ‘sexuality’ and ‘gender identity’ education programs in schools. The third would be their opposition to abortion but while that is a significant issue for the ACL, they are only one of a number of organisations involved in that and most Australians would not immediately think of that when they are mentioned.

If a terrorist group wanted to target Christians in general - if their aim was simply an anti-Christian attack - in Australia, especially at this time of year, they’d be much more likely to attack a Church or a Cathedral or some other major gathering of Christian faithful.

An attack specifically on the ACL - if it is an attack and not a car accident (local news reports are making it quite clear that’s still a possiblity - though on what basis I have no idea) really is most likely to be connected to the same sex marriage lobby and the media saying that is not being at all unreasonable. It’s specifically what the group is known for.

1 posted on 12/21/2016 2:56:35 PM PST by naturalman1975
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To: naturalman1975

>> the media seems to consider it more likely to relate to something like same sex marriage, rather than an Islamic terrorist attack

Two groups fueled by rage — that latter better trained.


2 posted on 12/21/2016 2:59:25 PM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: naturalman1975

Every liberal is a violent totalitarian thug.


3 posted on 12/21/2016 3:00:23 PM PST by stinkerpot65 (Global warming is a Marxist lie.)
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To: naturalman1975

It is interesting to note the two suspected groups in this case, jihadis and leftists.


4 posted on 12/21/2016 3:10:19 PM PST by TheDon (BO must be replaced immediately for the good of the nation and the world!)
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To: naturalman1975

If someone rammed my house with a car/truck full of gas cylinders, gasoline, or C4, I can say with surety that it is not in jealousy of my good looks.

Hmmmm! Wonder what it could be.


5 posted on 12/21/2016 3:32:54 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: naturalman1975

Like I said the the earlier thread, my money is on a lefty nutter since Canberra is full of them.


6 posted on 12/21/2016 3:43:48 PM PST by Dundee (They gave up all their tomorrows for our today's.)
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To: naturalman1975

Gay Terrorists?

Or Islamic Terrorists?

hmmm..........


7 posted on 12/21/2016 5:05:29 PM PST by Roman_War_Criminal
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