FBI monitors antiwar groups

[Eric J in MN]

The FBI counterterrorism unit should be concentrating on threats from foreign terrorists, not American groups who engage in dissent.

Please send a letter to the editor or Congress.


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http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/23/national/23FBI.html?hp=&pagewanted=all&position=


F.B.I. Scrutinizes Antiwar Rallies
By ERIC LICHTBLAU

Published: November 23, 2003

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 ? The Federal Bureau of Investigation has collected extensive information on the tactics, training and organization of antiwar demonstrators and has advised local law enforcement officials to report any suspicious activity at protests to its counterterrorism squads, according to interviews and a confidential bureau memorandum.

The memorandum, which the bureau sent to local law enforcement agencies last month in advance of antiwar demonstrations in Washington and San Francisco, detailed how protesters have sometimes used "training camps" to rehearse for demonstrations, the Internet to raise money and gas masks to defend against tear gas. The memorandum analyzed lawful activities like recruiting demonstrators, as well as illegal activities like using fake documentation to get into a secured site

[raysr]

1. FBI

I heard on "Democracy Now" that there were infiltrators in the protesters ranks who took down the protesters and retreated back behind the police line. Military Intelligence was involved with protest infiltration during the Viet-60's era.

[slackdude]

3. That's happened more recently than vietnam

I've seen video of that same exact thing happening at the Bush innaugural protests, and heard stories of it happening since the WTO Seattle protests.

[ComerPerro]

2. Coming soon: Democrats are Terrorists

Next time you vote, you will have to hand you ballot to a police officer, who will read your ballot and harass you for voting Dem.

[Robin Hood]

4. 19 guys with box cutters brought us to our knees,

and what they are concerned with is anti-war protestors? Your tax dollars at work people.

[LeahMira]

5. Silly FBIs!

detailed how protesters have sometimes used "training camps" to rehearse for demonstrations, the Internet to raise money and gas masks to defend against tear gas.

I've been to several protests, both local and in DC, and I've not seen gas mask one so what's that about?

So, OK, next protest I'm taking my camera and photographing the FBIs. We protesters need to start a file in case one of them starts hanging out and looking suspicious on our streets at home... you think?

Wonder about their "training camp"... Quantico is it?

Lordy, Lordy! These people are more afraid of us than we are of them. Could it be?

[Ecotopian]

6. Welcome back Hoover.

It seems like Hoover's FBI is returning. When will the government ever learn that the people's will cannot be thwarted? The people should have the right to mold and fashion the government how they want. I view government as the provider of services, not as the overseer and lord of all. If the people's will is thwarted by constant police raids on law-abiding protestors, then it will only be a matter of time when the only way people can atain their will is through violent means to change the system.

I for one prefer non-violent solutions where we work within the system to change it. I admit that because of the organization that I have a leadership role in, even though it's the most conservative yet progressive of the bunch, I expect to be monitored and have a file on me. Assuming this will just make me a sneakier bastard when I want to say things even more controversial.

I wonder though if the FBI monitors neo-cons just as much as they monitor people on the left? They are without question a far greater danger to our country right now than peace-loving lefties are. If they remain in power, it will only be a matter of time before they nudge our country into a Nazi-like Fascist Police State and throw democracy out the door.

[Eric J in MN]

8. the article doesn't say anything about the FBI

The article doesn't say anything about the FBI monitoring pro-war protestors, and I've never read about them doing so.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi Ecotopian!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. Where's Osama?

Where's Saddam? Never mind, let's go spy on some hippies!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. where's the anthrax killer?