U.S. federal law enforcement agencies and the NYPD are urging revelers to travel, attend public events, and freely spend time with others on Thanksgiving Day, but they stress that it is vital for the public to remain vigilant against jihadists launching vehicle, drone, and even chemical attacks.
“The FBI regularly assesses intelligence regarding possible threats to the U.S. and its interests abroad. We urge law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant. Members of the public should maintain awareness of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement,” the agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), told Breitbart News.” The FBI will continue working with federal, state, and local partners should there be any potential threat to public safety.”
FBI officials emphasized that Islamic extremists have urged its supporters and sympathizers to carry out vehicle attacks, adding that they have already been successful in inflicting massive fatalities and injuries in the United States.
Echoing the FBI and the NYPD, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urges Thanksgiving revelers to remain alert against terrorists targeting public places and events with “vehicle ramming, small arms, straight-edged blades or knives, homemade explosives, and poisons or toxins.”
In its National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) that monitors terrorist threats facing Americans, DHS stressed that terrorists might resort to drones and chemical attacks during the holidays.
Despite the ever-present jihadi intentions to fatally terrorize the United States, the DHS, the FBI, and local authorities maintain that there was “no credible” terrorist threats against America’s Thanksgiving celebrations (as of the time this report was submitted for publication around 2 p.m. on Wednesday).
“We have no information to indicate a specific, credible threat to the homeland,” Tyler Houlton, a spokesman for DHS, told Breitbart News, echoing the FBI and local authorities. “DHS and its law enforcement partners will always remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the American people.”
“There is no current or specific threat at this time, but we have seen vehicles used for violence here in the United States. In addition, terrorist propaganda has urged supporters to conduct such attacks,” added the FBI. “This is why situational awareness is so important. Should members of the public see something suspicious indicating a threat of any kind we urge them to report it immediately to law enforcement authorities.”
In a story about the NYPD bolstering security in anticipation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the Associated Press (AP) reiterates, “authorities say there is no confirmation of a credible threat.”
Despite the lack of evidence suggesting any potential attacks on Thanksgiving, the DHS acknowledges the presence of a low-level terrorist threat facing the United States.
The NTAS urges revelers not to allow terrorists to deter them from enjoying the holidays, noting: “We urge Americans to continue to travel, attend public events, freely associate with others but remain vigilant and aware of surroundings.”
Notwithstanding the low terrorism threat level, the NYPD has enhanced its security measures for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
On Thanksgiving, New York hosts the best-known and biggest parade, but similar events occur across the country, namely in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, and the state of Washington, among other regions.
New York is still reeling from the October 31 truck attack claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) that killed eight people.
“We want everyone to come out and enjoy what is really a great tradition in New York City every Thanksgiving,” declared NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “And know that the layers of security and protection we will provide again this year have been in the planning stages since the end of last year’s parade.”
“We do not back down in the face of terror threats. The city is filled with resolve,” declared New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Last year, ISIS described New York’s Thanksgiving parade as “an excellent target” for vehicle attacks.
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