The main conclusions of the analysis are that: (1) there is a logical connection between American street gangs and terrorism, and (2) the government needs to illustrate this logical connection for the American public in order to appease the civil liberties arguments against the Patriot Act. The authors begin by outlining the powers of the Patriot Act and the main civil liberty arguments against the Act. The Patriot Act allows law enforcement agencies greater access to personal records and greater surveillance capacity, which many view as a threat to individual civil liberties. Then they turn to an exploration of the street gang-terrorist connection, beginning with a description of two cases, one in 1986 and one in 2002, in which gang members were arrested for offering to aid terrorists. The influence of Islamic Fundamentalists on American street gangs is explored and involves a staunch anti-American sentiment that resonates with Black street gangs who already have a sense that the American Government has failed them. Street gangs are also drawn to the legitimacy that the cloak of religion offers them. Similarities between terrorist tactics and gang tactics, which both involve attacks by small groups with small arms, are explored and the recruitment of inmates by Islamic Fundamentalists and other terrorist groups is described as a widespread problem that could result in thousands of gang-related terrorists being released onto the streets of America. Note, references
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