Justice was done Friday with the decision to put three men behind bars likely for the rest of their lives for conspiring to commit wholesale slaughter of Muslim immigrants in Garden City.
The three defendants, Curtis Allen, Patrick Stein and Gavin Wright, are in their 50s.
The mens plot to bomb a makeshift mosque and apartment complex where the Somali immigrants worshipped and lived, was spoiled when a compatriot tipped off local authorities when he realized the extent of the possible horror to come.
The men belonged to the Crusaders, a splinter group of the militia Kansas Security Force with the contemptible goal of domestic terrorism. Also considered among their targets were churches and those who had helped the immigrant community, many of whom work at area meat-packing plants, according to the prosecution.
The bombings were scheduled to go off on Nov. 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected president.
As part of their defense, the men said Russias propaganda efforts to seed discord among Americans during the general election had led them to believe then-President Barack Obama would not allow Mr. Trump to take office. They also blamed the right-wing media and its commentators who, they said, have normalized hate.
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren was not persuaded and handed down stiff sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years.
HOMEGROWN terrorists like these men who target people because of their race, religion or place of origin, are on the rise, according to the 2018 government report, National Strategy for Counterterrorism.
And while Judge Melgren dismissed their defense of being brainwashed by right-wing extremists, theres no doubt their views were greatly influenced by social media trolls who prey on those whose morals can be easily compromised and feel emboldened by aligning with ideologies based on hate and white supremacy.
Hate is a powerful emotion; perhaps more powerful than compassion.
Which is all the more reason it must be addressed forthwith and in a forceful manner.
Susan Lynn
