ACLU Seeking FBI Files on Activist Probes

[vanboggie]

By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites) is seeking information from the FBI (news - web sites) on why bureau task forces set up to combat terrorism also looked into anti-war, animal rights and environmental groups.

Dozens of organizations have been subjected to scrutiny, according to the ACLU, which was filing Freedom of Information Act requests with the FBI on Thursday to try to find out why.

"We think it's clear that the public is interested in the possible return of FBI spying on political and religious groups," said Ann Beeson, the ACLU's associate legal counsel.

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[GetTheRightVote]

1. This is not good, they are very scary lately, where are our freedoms now ?

Their next move will be to elimate each group one by one until there are no groups to take on Washingont. No one to save our democracy, things are fishy with the FBI.

[gandalf]

2. Today, 40 years ago, the McCarthy era was finished...

but not for long.

[MsConduct]

3. I was wondering where the ACLU has been hiding lately. Seems

like they have a lot of work to catch up on. Thanks for the news.

[annabanana]

6. I expect they are stretched to near breaking................

They need all the help they can get. I hope most of our posters are "card carrying members"

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. IF any body is shocked at this

I have one word for you:

CONTIELPRO

They have been at this for a while.

These days I assume the worst and hope for the best.

ROLLS EYES and this should be a surprise exactly HOW?

[Branjor]

13. Actually, that's...

COINTELPRO.

[George_S]

16. And DU too?

And when the attorney general went on his "victory tour""speaking only to law-enforcement agencies on the virtues of the PATRIOT Act"BORDC and ACLU members used the Internet, exercising their First Amendment rights, to recruit demonstrators at various stops on Ashcroft's barnstorming trek.

In what part of the Constitution does the FBI have the authority to put in its databases the names of protesters using the Internet to organize peaceful demonstrations?

FBI Intelligence Bulletin no. 89 also alerts local police that "activists often communicate with one another using cell phones or radios to coordinate activities or to update colleagues about ongoing events. Other types of media equipment (video cameras, photogenic equipment, audiotape recorders, microphones, and computer and radio equipment) may be used for documenting potential cases of police brutality and for distribution of information over the Internet."

http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/9559

[Rush1184]

17. What does that mean exactly?

[JackieO]

5. American Friends Service Committee?

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense?

I hope the ACLU can shed a little light on what's going on here...

[leveymg]

8. FBI: "terrorism" broadly construed means any political crime

Hi all -

Here's the low-down on how the Feds can justify COINTELPRO-style operations against animal rights organizations and Quakers. The Bureau has been allowed to define "terrorism" as any crime committed with the intent of influencing policy. That includes spray painting slogans as well as bombing buildings. Bureau surveillance guidelines don't even require any actual proof that members of the group itself intend to commit a crime. The actions of potentially criminal outsiders, even those hostile to the goals of the group, can provide justification, if they are somehow connected to the targeted group. I'm afraid that connection can very tenuous -- the Secret Service and FBI counter-terrorism often train using a scenario where real terrorists use unwitting mass demonstrators as a cover for assassination attempts, and the like.

Anyone involved with civil disobedience or mass demonstrations has to assume that the Bill of Rights has been suspended, as far as surveillance is concerned.

Small compensation. Even if the corporate news media studiously ignore even the biggest protest, be assured that a federal officer is diligently recording every word for posterity.

[Just Me]

15. That definition directly applies to the Bush administration's actions,...

,...so, there must be a helluva lot of surveillance happenin' in the D.C. area, huh!!!

[VivaKerry]

7. Every single concerned american should send a FOIA request

identical to the one the ACLU has sent!!!!

Inundate the govt with requests!!!

[G_j]

9. kick

[raggedcompany]

10. kick n/t

[ChicanoPwr]

11. J Edgar Hoover's legacy continues

I think Hoover would be so proud that the FBI is continuing his legacy of keeping tabs on these so-called radicals and radical groups.

I guess the FBI really is the Thought Police.

[Supersedeas]

14. government by through and for the Oligarchy-Bush Old World meets New World

[noonwitch]

12. They should only be scruitinizing groups that commit acts of terrorism

There are some nutty left-wing groups, too. Like ELF, or some of PETA's more radical members. I wonder if the FBI is also looking the same way at the more radical anti-abortion groups, or the militias.