ACLU of Washington Seeks Files on Government Surveillance of Peace Groups

[struggle4progress]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: [e-mail]

SEATTLE, WA -- In the wake of revelations of government surveillance of nonviolent protests, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on behalf of itself and 11 peace organizations across the state. The groups are seeking records of any surveillance of their activities by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense or the Seattle Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“The government should not spy on groups engaging in peaceful political protest,” said ACLU of Washington Executive Director Kathleen Taylor. “The FBI should focus its efforts on actual threats and not target people because of their political views.”

All the organizations in today’s filing have been involved in peaceful protest of government policies. Today’s action follows the recent disclosure of government files showing that the FBI and other federal agencies monitored nonviolent groups around the country, including peace groups in Washington during the 2003 Seafair Festival.

In addition to the ACLU of Washington, the groups include:
American Friends Service Committee
Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane
People for Peace, Justice, and Healing
Pierce County Truth in Recruiting
Raging Grannies
Seattle Peace Chorus
Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War
United for Peace in Pierce County
Vancouver for Peace
Yakima Valley Peace Advocates Network
Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation <snip>

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/spying/24709prs20060321.html

[IsItJustMe]

1. Link TV has a lot of coverage on this. ACLU Files and Democracy Now.