Environmental activists claim responsibility for arson

The Earth Liberation Front, an environmental activist group, claimed responsibility Sept. 9 for the fire set at the Monroe County Republican Headquarters.\nIn a statement released Monday, the organization said it set the fire in protest of Interstate 69. \n"I-69 is just one example of the willingness of the rich to bleed the Earth and the working class to fulfill their money lust," according its statement.\nMonroe County Republican Chairman Pat Salzmann said she was somewhat surprised by ELF's statement. \n"What surprises me is that they waited nine days to say it was them," she said. \nShe said whether the group is truly responsible for the fire or not, its tactics are inexcusable.\n"Whether they did this particular instance or not, I think that they are pretty low people to damage people's property like this," she said. "They should be doing things to support their ideas legally and not with terrorist-type acts."\nThe fire, which police suspect was set with an accelerant around 5 a.m. Sept. 9, damaged the southwest corner of the headquarters at 644 N. Morton St. Only the outside of the building was damaged. \nELF also claimed responsibility for the January arson of a house under construction in the Sterling Woods subdivision.