Surveillance

terrorism surveillance of political activistsThe FBI, Homeland Security, and corporations have repeatedly been exposed spying on political activists as “terrorists.” Tactics include informants, wiretaps and undercover cops.

For example:

Here are some recent articles about terrorism surveillance:

Judge Strikes Down Part of Patriot Act

Happy Thursday. From Dan Eggen at The Washington Post: A federal judge today struck down portions of the USA Patriot Act as unconstitutional, ordering the FBI to stop issuing “national security letters” that secretly demand customer information from Internet service providers and other businesses. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero in New York ruled that the […]

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Americans for Medical Progress Report on Animal Rights Conference

Well, it comes out every year: American for Medical Progress, a group dedicated to fighting “animal rights extremists,” publishes a wrap-up of the national animal rights conference. (I was pleasantly surprised to see that the worst they had to say about me, for the second year, was to label me “activist and self-proclaimed ‘independent journalist.’” […]

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Green Scare Events Get Some Publicity by Industry Groups

Americans for Medical Progress is an industry group behind a lot of the scare-mongering and labeling activists as “terrorists.” How flattering to be listed in their newsletter. I’m looking forward to the Yale Law School event this weekend: ACTIVISTS’ CALENDAR AMP is continuously monitoring activists’ planning. We are in touch with targeted institutions as warranted. […]

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I Don’t Know About Barney Fife, But Andy Griffith Would Probably Oppose the Green Scare

Who knew Andy Griffith was such a civil libertarian? Check out this clip from the “Andy Griffith Show.” My favorite line, when he scolds Opie for trying to help him by spying: “Opie, the law can’t use this kind of help.”

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Are There “Eco-terrorists” in the Classroom?

Yet more damning evidence came out this week that the federal government is using the War on Terrorism for sweeping surveillance based on mysterious terrorist databases. The FBI has worked with the Education Department for the past five years to sift through millions of student financial aid records as part of “Project Strike Back, the […]

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FBI Says Internet Providers Should Make Tapping Easier

Federal agents must have it pretty rough these days. It seems they don’t have time for pesky warrants, so the Bush administration has approved the illegal spying program of the National Security Agency. Now over-burdened FBI agents want to force Internet service providers to create backdoors for easier government surveillance.

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DNA Databases Part of the Green Scare?

The Portland Press Herald reported yesterday that state police approached about a dozen environmental activists in Maine for DNA samples, as part of an “ongoing investigation.” Jim Freeman, a member of Earth First!, said a forensic specialist asked him for DNA samples because cops were investigating vandalism around Plum Creek. Environmentalists have opposed development around […]

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Cop Says He Was Demoted For Opposing Green Scare Tactics

From the Associated Press today: LOS ANGELES – A high-ranking California law enforcement official said in a personnel complaint that he was demoted after questioning the legality of federal and state intelligence-gathering methods, but authorities dispute the claims. Edward Manavian was chief of criminal intelligence for the California Department of Justice, and chairman of the […]

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Architect of Domestic Spying Program Nominated to Head CIA

The former head of the National Security Agency, who designed and ardently defended Bush’s domestic spying program, today was nominated to head the CIA. Air Force General Michael V. Hayden has been Bush’s go-to man on the illegal spying program that lets the National Security Agency eavesdrop on Americans’ calls and emails without a warrant.

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DHS Helps Corporations Fight Terrorism Like… “Flyer Distribution”?

The Department of Homeland Security distributed a bulletin on Thursday to help corporations fight “eco-terrorism” like “flyer distribution,” “graffiti,” and “tying up company phone lines.” Go ahead and laugh, but it gets worse.

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