FBI Keeps Watch on Activists

[dogday]

DENVER — The FBI, while waging a highly publicized war against terrorism, has spent resources gathering information on antiwar and environmental protesters and on activists who feed vegetarian meals to the homeless, the agency's internal memos show.

For years, the FBI's definition of terrorism has included violence against property, such as the window-smashing during the 1999 Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization. That definition has led FBI investigations to online discussion boards, organizing meetings and demonstrations of a wide range of activist groups. Officials say that international terrorists pose the greatest threat to the nation but that they cannot ignore crimes committed by some activists.


"It's one thing to express an idea or such, but when you commit acts of violence in support of that activity, that's where our interest comes in," said FBI spokesman Bill Carter in Washington.

He stressed that the agency targeted individuals who committed crimes and did not single out groups for ideological reasons. He cited the recent arrest of environmental activists accused of firebombing an unfinished ski resort in Vail. "People can get hurt," Carter said. "Businesses can be ruined."

<snip>
"Any definition of terrorism that would include someone throwing a bottle or rock through a window during an antiwar demonstration is dangerously overbroad," ACLU staff attorney Ben Wizner said. "The FBI will have its hands full pursuing antiwar groups instead of truly dangerous organizations."
</snip>

This is my America???????

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbi27mar27,0,5815737.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[shoelace414]

1. I wonder how much they have on Operation Rescue.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Point taken,

!!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Wonder if they were watching us this weekend?

A group of folks met near Houston to do the Dances of Universal Peace. Many were activists. One Vet Against War had made peace cranes out of federal tax forms-the point was taxes should go for peace. Hope Agent Mike got one.

[dogday]

4. I think they are, hell, our Police Chief wants

cameras everywhere in the city....

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. We were at an Episcopalean retreat center

and some of the other retreatants watched us Dancing, but I think they were just surprised rather than snoopy. Not many groups dance during their worship services.