The FBI heavily monitored the Occupy movement, utilizing counterterrorism resources to do so. Despite acknowleding the movement to be peaceful, the FBI found it necessary to warn certain businesses about the protests. They also suggested using trip wires in areas where protests were about to occur.
"These documents show that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are treating protests against the corporate and banking structure of America as potential criminal and terrorist activity," said Martha Verheyden-Hilliard, director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.
The FBI is supposed to protect the people, right? I mean, they're a part of government which was elected by the people. Oh wait, I forgot: Corporations are people now.
Essentially, if you'd like to organize peacefully against this country without being treated like a terrorist, as is our Constitutional right, you'd better have carrier pigeons.
Further, the Senate recently dropped a provision in a recent bill that would have forced government agents to obtain a warrant to search through our emails. They currently only need a subpoena, which simply requires that the information “would be useful” in an investigation. Ask General Patraeus how that worked for him.
This entire charade is a complete disaster and major problem for the rights of citizens. It gives off a whiff of fascism, especially as technology and internet increasingly become intertwined and interdependent with communication and socialization. This is going to be one of the biggest challenges Gen X and the Millenials face moving forward. The government is going to need to get off our back on this one.
