The Alabama Department of Homeland Security included pro-life organizations, as well as homosexual activist groups, on a website listing of potential terrorist groups, or groups that might spawn terrorists. The site has since been removed to modify the content after complaints.
Department director Jim Walker said the site was taken down after his agency received a string of calls and e-mails from concerned individuals who complained the list was unfairly targeting certain groups on the basis of their beliefs.
Pro-life organizations were included in a section of the list describing "single-issue" terrorists, who were identified as "people who feel they are trying to create a better world."
"Single-issue extremists often focus on issues that are important to all of us. However, they have no problem crossing the line between legal protest and…illegal acts, to include even murder, to succeed in their goals," the site read.
Eric Johnston, president of the Alabama Pro Life Coalition, said he was concerned over the assumption that people doing social justice work may use terrorism to achieve their goals.
"Our group's main mission is educational. The thought that we would somehow be harboring terrorists escapes me," he said.
Other groups in the list included anti-war, animal rights and environmental organizations.
Walker said the site will go back up without mentioning specific types of groups.
