Ales Rarus

What's next? Another House Un-American Activities Committee? McCarthy-ism, Take 2?

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

"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."

Congress Expands FBI Spying Power
By Ryan Singel

"Congress approved a bill on Friday that expands the reach of the Patriot Act, reduces oversight of the FBI and intelligence agencies and, according to critics, shifts the balance of power away from the legislature and the courts."

Oppose Government Surveillance of Peaceful Protesters

"The ability to speak freely and peacefully protest government policies is a cherished right, as enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. A confidential FBI memo leaked to the New York Times confirms however that the federal government is targeting innocent Americans engaged in nothing more than lawful protest and dissent."

"In the memo the FBI advocates spying on peaceful protesters and indicates that protesters who engage in civil disobedience or other disruptive acts should be treated like potential terrorists. It confirms that the government has monitored the actions of peaceful protesters and wants intelligence about protesters to be reported to the nearest FBI field office or terrorism task force."

"Peaceful protesters should not be treated as potential terrorists nor spied upon by federal government agents. Not only is this a misuse of public funds that could be used to find real terrorists, it chills free speech activities and inhibits the public debate on important issues."