Revealed: FBI investigated civil rights group as 'terrorism' threat and viewed KKK as victims

[arenean]

Bureau spied on California activists, citing potential ‘conspiracy’ against the ‘rights’ of neo-Nazis

The FBI opened a “domestic terrorism” investigation into a civil rights group in California, labeling the activists “extremists” after they protested against neo-Nazis in 2016, new documents reveal.

Federal authorities ran a surveillance operation on By Any Means Necessary (Bamn), spying on the leftist group’s movements in an inquiry that came after one of Bamn’s members was stabbed at the white supremacist rally, according to documents obtained by the Guardian. The FBI’s Bamn files reveal:

The FBI investigated Bamn for potential “conspiracy” against the “rights” of the “Ku Klux Klan” and white supremacists.

The FBI considered the KKK as victims and the leftist protesters as potential terror threats, and downplayed the threats of the Klan, writing: “The KKK consisted of members that some perceived to be supportive of a white supremacist agenda.”

The FBI’s monitoring included in-person surveillance, and the agency cited Bamn’s advocacy against “rape and sexual assault” and “police brutality” as evidence in the terrorism inquiry.

[link:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/01/sacramento-rally-fbi-kkk-domestic-terrorism-california|

[2naSalit]

1. Always been that way.

I probably have a couple files in the archives for my conservationist activism.

And this practice was fortified by the PATRIOT Act.

[Scruffy1]

4. I've got a file,too.

Local agents always thought it was a joke and perform pro forma on instructions from DC. This certainly didn't end with Hoover or with the Church Committee. The good new is that they have so many files on leftists they don't know what to do with them. There is safety in numbers. Their modus operandi has been to single out one prominent lefty once in a while and convene a grand jury. Nothing ever happens, but they've appeased the masters of the universe. The FBI has informants in all the anti-war groups as well as the very vocal conservation groups like the anti pipeline people (I am one).When you've been around as long as I have you just assume there is a snitch in every organization. The scary part is that these informants oftem make up information to appease their masters (or get paid) and also serve as agent provacatiers. They even went after the mail around here during the RNC in 2008. No knock warrants, bust the front door off, and then get the inspectors to tag the house as uninhabitable because it didn't have door. This actually happened to some artists in my neighvorhood. Of course the local politicians for the most part were afraid to speak out.
If anything we've become a more authoritarian state. I remember when the Wounded Knee stuff was happening the Republican governor of Iowa stopped the Feds from stopping cars and searching them in his state because they might have "indians" in them. I'm still not sure how you identify "Indians". My son has more Indian blood than me and is lighter skinned.
You are correct. The patriot act was full on fascism. The media sold fear and people bought.

[procon]

2. WTF !!! Is the plot for a alternate reality TV show?nt

[KayF]

3. the KKK stabbed them

and the FBI sees the KKK as the victims.

[HopeAgain]

5. This is why I am reserving judgment

on Mueller and his investigation. Looks like they might be doing it right, but there is so much we don't know. Especially when it comes to them looking at Trump.

[marble falls]

6. Filed under the "No Duh!" file next to "The Sky is Blue" ...

“The KKK consisted of members that some perceived to be supportive of a white supremacist agenda.”

[shanny]

7. Same as it ever was.

There was a retired FBI agent on Fux just the other day who said when he was in they prevented progressives and soshulists from getting into office...something like that. It's probably in the original mission statement.

[Johnny2X2X]

8. So freaking sad

Spike Lee’s the BlacKKKlansman nailed it. The Klan is now running our country.

[scarytomcat]

9. anti war people have always been followed

the left is and has been a threat to the right wing authoritarians

[bigbrother05]

10. Can't investigate the Klan, might lead to embarrassing some powerful people

Either by participation or association

[Mc Mike]

11. ..

"California law enforcement subsequently worked with the neo-Nazis to identify counter-protesters, pursued charges against stabbing victims and other anti-fascists, and decided not to prosecute any men on the far-right for the stabbings."

[ananda]

12. I really hate being a fascist! Basta!

nt

[pecosbob]

13. Popo in Cali have been siding with the nazis for some time now...