Philadelphia police asked federal drug agents to "infiltrate" BLM protests last June

[Nevilledog]

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Anna Orso
@anna_orso
Philadelphia police asked federal drug agents to "infiltrate" BLM protests last June, according to emails obtained by @CREWcrew.

Critics say the request circumvented longstanding restrictions aimed at deterring the PD from spying on activists.

Philadelphia police asked federal drug agents to ‘infiltrate’ protests last June, emails show
The Philadelphia Police Department is restricted from using its own officers to physically infiltrate protests.
inquirer.com
4:35 PM · Apr 19, 2021

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-protests-dea-infiltrate-surveillance-20210419.html

The Philadelphia Police Department enlisted federal drug agents to infiltrate crowds of protesters during racial justice demonstrations in the city last spring, a move that critics say may have circumvented a decades-old ban aimed at deterring police from spying on activists.

The undercover operation was made public last week by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a D.C.-based think tank that obtained emails between police and federal officials through a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act.

The emails show Philadelphia police requested the DEA support on June 2 and the operation lasted at least through June 6.

In one message, a ranking agent with the drug agency emailed colleagues and told them they’d be placed on teams to assist Philadelphia police and should “dress in a fashion that will allow you to bend [sic] in with the crowds. Masks and bag packs are a good idea.” Another from a DEA official said, “the purpose of the request is to identify protest leaders, agitators, and individuals who are inciting violence or destruction of property.”

The Philadelphia Police Department is restricted from using its own officers to infiltrate protest groups. A 1987 mayoral directive written as part of a settlement to a lawsuit requires that to conduct covert surveillance of activists, Philadelphia police must detail a threat of criminal activity in writing and obtain approval from the police commissioner and the city managing director.

*snip*

[Crunchy Frog]

1. So will there be consequences or not?

I have a feeling I know the answer.

[Caliman73]

2. I have no problem with identifying people inciting violence or causing property damage.

Problem is that all too often, police equate the leaders of peaceful protest with the people causing a problem. Yes mass demonstration is a problem for the powers that be. It calls attention to injustice and demands change. What we see however, when we look into who is causing actual criminal problems, it is often outside people like the Proud Boys, or sometimes even the police themselves, who want to disrupt the protestors and will do "dirt" to get that result.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. PrOtEcTiNg AnD sErViNg

[Solly Mack]

4. Alive and well with cointelpro.

Shit never really changes.