FOIA Request Filed For Border Patrol Protest Video

[Truth2Tell]

The actions of the US Border Patrol on the Olympic Peninsula have become downright Orwellian - unconstitutional checkpoints, warrantless home invasions and relentless surveillance of activists opposing their actions. Former Congressional candidate Paul Richmond has been at the forefront of opposition to this madness. Below is his latest press release. Thanks Paul!

MEDIA RELEASE

Local Attorney Paul Richmond files Freedom of Information Act Request of U.S. Border Patrol; Requests Videotape and Photographs taken of Lawful March and Rally on September 20, in Port Angeles

October 9, 2008:

Local Attorney Paul Richmond today filed a Freedom of Information Act Request for videotape taken of a Rally and March held September 20, 2008 in Port Angeles Washington. At this Rally and subsequent March at least one Border Patrol employee was observed to be videotaping all the participants. This employee rode in a white van with the license plate number DHS 11945 and was observed videotaping the participants, not only when they were around federal property but in public areas. That all those there were videotaped when away from federal property and in public spaces was later confirmed by Supervising Agent Chris Dyer at a meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association held on Tuesday October 7, 2008.

The rally was held September 20 in Port Angeles and was a response to the increased activity by the Border Patrol both in setting up check points and entering into the homes of residents. Those in attendance included friends and family of those who have recently been detained due to this activity. Some told of fears that members of their family would be deported. Others told stories of Border Patrol Agents entering peoples’ homes without permission in search of immigrants.

In recent months the Olympic Peninsula has seen an enormous increase in both personnel and activity of the Border Patrol. The number of Border Patrol Agents has increased 600% from four to twenty-four. This appears to be only one phase of transforming the Peninsula. A new Homeland Security Base with an unidentified number of personnel has been approved for the Olympic Peninsula. Additionally the local Coast Guard has received three new helicopters equipped with belt fed machine guns and laser sighted 50 caliber rifles.

At a meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association on Tuesday October 7, Border Patrol Agent Chris Dyer acknowledged that much of this growth may be the result of earmarks by Representative Norm Dicks. Dicks who sits on the Committee that allocates Homeland Security funds is famous for bringing home the bacon to his district.

“The sort of activity we are seeing from the Border Patrol has a tremendously chilling effect on the First Amendment,” said Richmond. “These law enforcement agencies share data among themselves and with private agencies. Groups engaged in lawful protest are now subjected to surveillance and infiltrated. The Justice Department has already identified environmentalists as the leading domestic terrorist threat. There’s very little that keeps any of these agencies from viewing any of us as terrorists.”

Richmond plans to release any information he receives widely through community and educational forums as well as the media.

Paul Richmond, Attorney at Law
2023 East Sims Way, #263
Port Townsend, WA, 98368
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.olympicpeninsulalaw.com
www.storytellinglawyer.com