F.B.I. Watched Activist Groups, New Files Show

F.B.I. Watched Activist Groups, New Files Show

By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: December 20, 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - Counterterrorism agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations that involved, at least indirectly, groups active in causes as diverse as the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief, newly disclosed agency records show.

F.B.I. officials said Monday that their investigators had no interest in monitoring political or social activities and that any investigations that touched on advocacy groups were driven by evidence of criminal or violent activity at public protests and in other settings.

After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, John Ashcroft, who was then attorney general, loosened restrictions on the F.B.I.'s investigative powers, giving the bureau greater ability to visit and monitor Web sites, mosques and other public entities in developing terrorism leads. The bureau has used that authority to investigate not only groups with suspected ties to foreign terrorists, but also protest groups suspected of having links to violent or disruptive activities.

But the documents, coming after the Bush administration's confirmation that President Bush had authorized some spying without warrants in fighting terrorism, prompted charges from civil rights advocates that the government had improperly blurred the line between terrorism and acts of civil disobedience and lawful protest.

Rest of article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/20/politics/20fbi.html?hp&ex=1135141200&en=171df5b870cdd147&ei=5094&partner=homepage

If found guilty, it should apply.

...ACLU tell us about this months ago?

They're looking at your websites.

K n R ya'll. regardless of how watered down this article is. it's the tip of the iceburg.

...I'm glad I left the country.

'tis quite beautiful.

http://www.joebageant.com

One F.B.I. document indicates that agents in Indianapolis planned to conduct surveillance as part of a "Vegan Community Project." Another document talks of the Catholic Workers group's "semi-communistic ideology." A third indicates the bureau's interest in determining the location of a protest over llama fur planned by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

This must have been one of Asscroft's pet projects. :mad:

... like that. That would indeed be small "c" communism.

Oligarchs and dictators alike become very threatened by Christians who take Jesus' message and social justice seriously.

I think the oligarchy doesn't care about monks and nuns living communally and serving the poor, because you know what you're dealing with (unless they become politically active and start sheltering South American torture refugees or invading nuclear silos.

But the Catholic Workers groups are laypeople and, as far as I know, fairly autonomous. Men and women live close to poverty, work among the poor and disenfranchised, and advocate for them. Beyond that I don't know -- Catholic DUers please feel free to chime in and inform further.

All I know is if you try to follow in Jesus' footsteps too closely you are likely to meet the logical descendents of the Roman authorities that had him crucified for sedition almost 2000 years ago. People who look past worldly authority are very threatening to those in authority.

Especially when those in authority are flaming *holes such as we have now.

Hekate

based on their political beliefs"

Right. :eyes: Shades of Richard Fucking Nixon.

I tell you this is the mob on steroids

Bush has outdone Nixon when it comes to abuses of power. Bush must be impeached!

Or whoever it is that's ignoring or "failing to uphold the Constitution" by ignoring all the laws Bush and his Cabal are breaking.

Unless something puts "the fear of God" into these jerks, no Impeachments will be forthcoming.

He chairs the house judiciary I believe.

Ha ha ha

When Sensenbrenners fly! When Delays fly out my ass!

If all of Canada is on the list for having a semi-communistic viewpoint?

Good one!

Belated Welcome to DU PDJane!
:hi:

This is about to be posted at the ACLU web site, it's not quite there yet, but here's a link to the "Newsroom" where it will be posted: <http://www.aclu.org/newsroom/viewallpressreleases_21660.html>

New Documents Show FBI Targeting Environmental and Animal Rights Groups as ‘Domestic Terrorism’ (12/20/2005)

NEW YORK -- According to new documents released today by the American Civil Liberties Union, the FBI is using counterterrorism resources to monitor and infiltrate domestic political organizations that criticize business interests and government policies, despite a lack of evidence that the groups are engaging in or supporting violent action.

(I'm fairly sure official Press Releases are O.K. to post in full)

<http://www.aclu.org/safefree/spying/23124prs20051220.html>

New Documents Show FBI Targeting Environmental and Animal Rights Groups Activities as ‘Domestic Terrorism’

(12/20/2005)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

Additional Documents Indicate FBI Scrutiny of Anti-war Gathering

NEW YORK -- According to new documents released today by the American Civil Liberties Union, the FBI is using counterterrorism resources to monitor and infiltrate domestic political organizations that criticize business interests and government policies, despite a lack of evidence that the groups are engaging in or supporting violent action.

The ACLU said that the documents released today on Greenpeace, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) show the FBI expanding the definition of “domestic terrorism” to include citizens and groups that participate in lawful protests or civil disobedience.

“The FBI should use its resources to investigate credible threats to national security instead of spending time tracking Americans who criticize government policy, or monitoring groups that have not broken the law,” said Ann Beeson, Associate Legal Director of the ACLU. “Labeling law abiding groups and their members ‘domestic terrorists’ is not only irresponsible, it has a chilling effect on the vibrant tradition of political dissent in this country.”

The documents were obtained by the ACLU after the organization filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to discover whether the FBI’s partnerships with local law enforcement in Joint Terrorism Task Forces has resulted in increased surveillance of political and religious activity.

Among the documents released today were more than 100 pages of FBI files on PETA. Multiple documents indicate ongoing surveillance of PETA-related meetings and activities, including a “Vegan Community Project” event at the University of Indiana during which the group distributed vegetarian starter kits to students and faculty, an animal rights conference in Washington, DC that was open to the public, and a planned protest of Cindy Crawford’s decision to become a llama fur spokesperson.

The ACLU said that FBI surveillance of mainstream organizations involved in public education campaigns has allowed the bureau to maintain files with names and other information on law-abiding Americans who support or participate in events organized by the groups. One file released by the FBI in response to a request for ADC’s records included a contact list for students and peace activists who participated in a 2002 conference at Stanford University, which focused on ending U.S. sanctions against Iraq.

“The FBI should be investigating real terrorists, not monitoring controversial ideas,” said Ben Wizner, an ACLU staff attorney. “Americans shouldn’t have to fear that by protesting the treatment of animals or participating in non-violent civil disobedience, they will be branded as 'eco-terrorists' in FBI records.”

The ACLU said that some of the documents suggest infiltration by undercover “sources” at animal rights meetings and conferences. One highly redacted “Domestic Terrorism Operations Unit” document suggests that the FBI is using PETA’s interns for surveillance, while others describe attempts to locate and interview “several former disgruntled PETA employees.” Similarly, one cryptic e-mail kept in a Greenpeace file describes a source who “offers a unique opportunity to gain intelligence on activists who show a clear predisposition to violate the law.”

At times, the documents show aggressive attempts by the FBI to link PETA, Greenpeace and other mainstream organizations to activists associated with the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) or Earth Liberation Front (ELF), said the ACLU. PETA, in particular, is repeatedly and falsely singled out as a “front” for militant organizations although in at least one document released today the FBI appears to acknowledge that it has no evidence to back up such assertions.

“These documents show the erosion of freedom of association and speech that Americans have taken for granted and which set us apart from oppressive countries,” said Jeff Kerr, General Counsel for PETA. “McCarthyist tactics used against PETA and other groups that speak out against cruelty to animals and exploitive corporate and government practices are un-American, unconstitutional and against the interests of a healthy democracy.”

The documents released by the ACLU also include FBI observances on supposed Communist leanings of the Catholic Workers Group (CWG). In an e-mail to the counterterrorism unit, an unidentified official wrote, “the Catholic Workers advocated peace with a Christian and semi-communistic ideology.” In another document, an agent writes, “Based on the author’s interpretation of comments made by various CWG protestors, CWG also advocates a communist distribution of resources.”

ACLU affiliates in 20 states have filed similar requests on behalf of more than 150 groups and individuals. Earlier this month, the ACLU of Colorado revealed that the FBI had tracked the names, license plate numbers and vehicle registration information of participants at a peaceful protest of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association in Colorado Springs in June 2002.

To view the FBI documents released by the ACLU, go to: .

<http://www.aclu.org/safefree/spying/23124prs20051220.html>

The others -- environmental and animal rights -- have been painted as extremist wackos in middle America, especially lately.

But poverty relief? How can they go from a 'war on poverty' to a "war on poverty relief"?

republicans hate the poor and the people who help the poor -- unless they are an approved fundie religous group with ties to bushco.

republicans consider poverty to be a moral defect. They hate the poor, but still try to use them to squeeze out budget cuts, while giving any gains to the wealthy. Republicans are immoral, cruel, vile, perverted people. They are the complete opposite of the kind of person I want to be.

Osama Bin Laden could dance down Pennsylvania Avenue hand in hand with Zarqawi and Mullah Omar and the FBI would still be focused on some little old ladies in tennis shoes trying to save the white footed ferret.

Does anyone doubt that this is the reason that President Bush could not go to the courts and get a warrent to spy on terrorists? It had to be secret because they were going after domestic dissent.

Wake up America. YOUR government is using YOUR money to spy on you.

:banghead:

...so bad, so evil, that he would make Richard M. Nixon look good by comparison? Nixon was a twisted bastard, but I don't think he intentionally tried to destroy our government. Nixon was cold and dark, but he was intelligent, and he didn't think God Almighty anointed him king.

I never in my life imagined living through what we have endured in the past 5 years.It beggars the imagination.

Hekate

But I would trade him in a heartbeat for the dumb, destructive POS in the Oval Office now.

Bush makes Nixon look like Clay Freaking Aiken.

Oh, but the FBI canned COINELPRO. Yup. Nothing to see here...move along...

Oh, Hi Agent Mike! :hi:

Todd in Beerbratistan

after reviewing the FOIA requests they have filed recently,they have REALLY been working hard.We need them more than ever

After all, a bunch of crazy ass paranoid gun nuts wouldn't be inclined to do anything violent would they?

What the hell are those goddamn Quakers and vegans up to?

...happening against extreme RWer's like Fred Phelps, who goes to military funerals to protest. :shrug:

Maybe BushCo agrees with him?

And they do share quite a few values: guns, violence, fundamentalism, total disregard for science, etc. Seems like they'd fit right in.

Heck, if I were weeding out terrorists, these right-wing loonie groups would be the first place I'd look. It's not like they haven't circulated amongst them before. (Eric Rudolph and Tim McVeigh immediately come to mind.)

This sounds like a very partisan spying case...

Why aren't the Republicans up in arms about this?

Or are the "haves and have mores" off limits to such prying?

Where is Dean?????

"The Bush Administration's secret program to spy on the American people reminds Americans of the abuse of power during the dark days of President Nixon and Vice President Agnew. Why is it that President Bush went in front of the American people and said that a wiretap 'requires a court order,' after having approved a wiretap program without a court order two years earlier? It's time for the President to tell the truth. Americans deserve real answers."

-H Dean

Where's the outrage among that crowd?

Is what about other states? It only mentions people in

NATIONAL | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO
ILLINOIS | MICHIGAN | OREGON

What about people in other states? What about groups in Texas?

Not only for money, but even more for control. Haven't you wondered why so many toe the Bushie line so assiduously? I do think some are being controlled by blackmail and that the surveillance is used for (among other things) getting useful material. And with the proven effectiveness of negative campaigning, you can bet they're gathering any dirt they can find or hype on potential opposition candidates - to be revealed at the most damaging moment in a primary or election campaign. Or before a much-desired Congressional vote. You can imagine.

Hellooooo Jeff Gannon - prostitution rings, especially gay ones (more fear about being outed) would be useful here

Hellooooo Cunningham's scandal nest with the "extra bedrooms." Where there is politically-connected prostitution, there will be blackmail.