Documents released today by the American Civil Liberties Union reveal that the Federal Bureau of Investigations has indeed monitored political groups solely on the basis that they opposed a U.S.-led war.
According to a memo written in 2002, the FBI launched a classified investigation into the activities of Pittsburgh's Thomas Merton Center after becoming concerned that the group held "daily leaflet distribution activities in downtown Pittsburgh and [was] currently focused on its opposition to the potential war on Iraq." The memo aimed to summarize the investigation's results.
It identifies the group as "a left-wing organization advocating, among many political causes, pacifism."
We have to have the FBI out and investigating people who believe in NOT using violence to solve their problems? Where is the crime here? Why are FBI Resources being misdirected away from protecting the Homeland, to this?
More details from the ACLU.
Two documents released today reveal that the FBI investigated gatherings of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice just because the organization opposed the war in Iraq. Although previously disclosed documents show that the FBI is retaining files on anti-war groups, these documents are the first to show conclusively that the rationale for FBI targeting is the group's opposition to the war.
“It makes no sense that the FBI would be spying on peace activists handing out flyers,” said Jim Kleissler, Executive Director of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice. “Our members were simply offering leaflets to passersby, legally and peacefully, and now they’re being investigated by a counter–terrorism unit. Something is seriously wrong in how our government determines who and what constitutes terrorism when peace activists find themselves targeted.”
“From the FBI to the Pentagon to the National Security Agency this administration has embarked on an unprecedented campaign to spy on innocent Americans,” said Ann Beeson, Associate Legal Director of the national ACLU. “Investigating law-abiding groups and their members simply because of their political views is not only irresponsible, it has a chilling effect on the vibrant tradition of dissent in this country.”
And it's clear that a chilling effect is exactly the goal. This is intimidation, pure and simple. Just like the silly brujah over comments made by Colorado School Teacher Jay Bennish. If the Reich-wing had it's way - and it very nearly does - people like Bennish would be on the terrorist watch list simply for pointing out the failures and lies of the Bush Administration. People like the following (who are already under surveillance by the FBI for their political views)
| Nancy Hollander Albuquerque, New Mexico Possible NSA Target "The government has invaded not only my privacy but the sacred bond I have with my clients to keep their confidences." |
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| Konstanty Hordynski Santa Cruz, California Pentagon Target "When lawfully standing up for my beliefs—standing up for what I think is right and just—is a 'threat' to the government, something is wrong." |
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| Caitlin Childs Atlanta, Georgia Homeland Security Target "I refuse to live in fear of what could happen for speaking out and fighting for the things in which I believe. We learn as young children that freedom of speech is a fundamental right guaranteed in America." |
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| John Amidon Albany, New York Pentagon Target "Maybe, just maybe if the leaders of the 'Free' world stopped spying on Quakers and librarians and Veterans For Peace, they might actually engage in the work we are paying them to do." |
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| Betty Ball Denver, Colorado FBI Target "I am worried about how far the government will go to squelch First Amendment rights and silence dissent. Will we all be rounded up and incarcerated?" |
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| Debbie Clark Atlanta, Georgia Pentagon Target "We ... have been acting as vigilant Americans should act in a time when government officials are suspected of high crimes and treason." |
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| Kirsten Atkins Crested Butte, Colorado FBI Target "The government is gathering information illegally under the guise of protecting us from the threat of terrorism. By doing so, they are trying to intimidate and crush the voices of dissent." |
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| Peter Ackerman Fort Lauderdale, Florida Pentagon Target "The fabric of our Democracy had a big hole in it... War had just been declared against American citizens and anyone else who disagreed with this President." |
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| George Main Sacramento, California Pentagon Target "I am offended that my government would even consider surveilling a group of honorably discharged veterans. Our patriotism and love of country is as strong today [as] when we carried arms in defense of America." |
But in the end, we have to realize that this issue is simply not going to get anywhere near the traction that the Dubai deal did. Most people aren't activists, they don't see how the FBI impeding the rights of a few "trouble-makers with flyers" is really important to them. Not compared to the idea that a dirty bomb could be shipped into their own city. It's "Screw everyone else, I'm out for Numero Uno" mentality.
People should respond to this because by the time they effectively silence all the naysayers -- it's going to be far too late, and they'll be noone left to tell them about the next Dubai deal.
Vyan
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