WASHINGTON — A Virginia state senator just found out he’s an enemy of the Islamic State ( ISIS), but he’s not intimidated.
“I got a call from the Capitol Police on March 30, and they told me that ISIS has put me on their enemies list,” says Virginia State Senator Richard Black (R-13th). Black represents parts of Loudoun and Prince William Counties.
He says it’s no secret he’s been very outspoken about American policies in Syria. “We are training rebels to topple the Syrian government. Now if we do that, we create a vacuum that will certainly be filled with ISIS or Al Qaeda. And that will be an absolute disaster for the United States.”
The 83-page online ISIS magazine “Dabiq” referenced Black as “The Enemy” and “The American Crusader.” See it here.
Black said he was quoted extensively. “I think what they are saying is that this is somebody who understands exactly what we’re (ISIS) trying to accomplish.”
Also listed as enemies in the magazine are former presidential hopeful Rick Santorum, and a former CIA official.
Black says this is about intimidation. “I don’t intend to let them silence critics, at least not this one.” He says that won’t stop him from speaking out about the terrorist group. Black says it’s critical that Americans continue to speak out and continue to hold their ground. “We cannot be silenced by terrorists.”
He believes the information in the ISIS magazine had been widely circulated among intelligence sources, and that Capitol Police were just giving him a heads up. He’s more concerned, however, with the targeting of American soldiers and their families. Also he says he feels solidarity with innocent Muslims and Christians that are being persecuted on a daily basis by ISIS.
During the Vietnam war, Black fought with the 1st Marine Regiment and was wounded in combat. He also was a chopper pilot during the war, flying 269 missions.
