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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBlack activist jailed for his Facebook posts speaks out about secret FBI surveillance
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/11/rakem-balogun-interview-black-identity-extremists-fbi-surveillance?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_FacebookRakem Balogun thought he was dreaming when armed agents in tactical gear stormed his apartment. Startled awake by a large crash and officers screaming commands, he soon realized his nightmare was real, and he and his 15-year-old son were forced outside of their Dallas home, wearing only underwear.
Handcuffed and shaking in the cold wind, Balogun thought a misunderstanding must have led the FBI to his door on 12 December 2017. The father of three said he was shocked to later learn that agents investigating domestic terrorism had been monitoring him for years and were arresting him that day in part because of his Facebook posts criticizing police.
Its tyranny at its finest, said Balogun, 34. I have not been doing anything illegal for them to have surveillance on me. I have not hurt anyone or threatened anyone.
'Everything is just gone': a mother reflects on the killing of her son by police
Balogun spoke to the Guardian this week in his first interview since he was released from prison after five months locked up and denied bail while US attorneys tried and failed to prosecute him, accusing him of being a threat to law enforcement and an illegal gun owner....more
Tavarious Jackson
(1,595 posts)MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)We all knew this was going to happen. Time to harass black activists again....
Solly Mack
(90,762 posts)brer cat
(24,555 posts)Wow. I wonder where those "perceptions of police brutality" came from?
Thanks for the post, Skidmore. Can't say I'm overjoyed to learn about this "secretive" surveillance, but I guess trump and Jeffyboy are.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)They had a shitty case against him, but he still spent months in jail, causing him to lose his home, car and family.
Me thinks he has a civil rights case against DOJ. He certainly was damaged by their actions.
farmbo
(3,121 posts)...violation of rights under color of law. If the Guardian reporting is accurate, he appears to be qualified for monetary damages AND attorney fees.
Hopefully a qualified civil rights attorney from the Local Bar will step up.
The Polack MSgt
(13,186 posts)This nonsense needs to stop now.
We cannot allow this to feel normal. Strange that my pasty pale gun owning bretheren aren't screaming about the rights of this American... Compared to let's say George goat fucking Zimmerman
oasis
(49,370 posts)Wake up America!