DHS/FBI/NCTC have issued a Joint Intelligence Bulletin to law enforcement nationwide reminding law enforcement, military,
and security personnel that the upcoming religious holidays -Easter, Passover, and Ramadan - may provide increased symbolic interest to homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) and domestic extremists -including some perpetrators of hate crimes inspired by or adhering to domestic extremist ideologies - aspiring to target faith-based communities in the Homeland.

While the classification of the bulletin prevents AlertsUSA from publishing the full document, the basic summary above should speak volumes about the necessity to maintain increased vigilance and security awareness during this period, particularly in light of the following recent events:

April 17, 2019 - Marc Lamparello, 37, entered the historic St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan with two gasoline cans, two quarts of lighter fluid, as well as strikers, but was quickly apprehended by security personnel.

April 15, 2019 - A fire of unknown origin broke out beneath the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. By the time the fire was extinguished fifteen hours later, the building's spire and roof had collapsed and its interior, upper walls, and windows had been severely damaged.

(In 2018, 875 Catholic churches in France were set ablaze or vandalized. And additional 129 reported thefts from the premises, as well as 59 cemeteries vandalized. In 2019, dozens of similar instances have also been reported. In just one week in March, one dozen churches were desecrated in different regions of France in what appeared to be obvious cases of anti-Christian vandalism.)

March 15, 2019 - Brenton Harrison Tarrant, an Australian national, two consecutive terrorist attacks at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 50 and injuring 50 others.

As AlertsUSA subscribers are well aware from our regular alerts and reporting, the Islamic State, Al Qaeda, their associates and those inspired by such organizations have repeatedly called for and directly threatened attacks on "disbelievers" and the West in general.

Further, religious holiday gatherings are an attractive target for HVEs and domestic extremists because they offer an opportunity to capitalize on large crowds and increased symbolism of the target.

Caution and vigilance are urged.