FBI Documents Reveal Further Spying on Peace, Civil Rights Groups

Joint Terrorism Task Forces conducted surveillance of peace, civil rights and animal rights groups in Michigan and Colorado, according to documents released as part of a suit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) accusing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of misuse of anti-terrorism funds. The ACLU is seeking documents for 16 organizations and ten individuals nationwide relating to the case, in which the ACLU alleges the FBI used state task forces to spy on domestic advocacy groups that oppose Bush administration policies.

The ACLU obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) showing the FBI investigated the Rocky Mountain Peace, Justice Center and the Colorado American Indian Movement, and four groups in Michigan. The investigations were carried out by the state Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which are meant to combine federal, state and local law enforcement resources to combat terrorism.

The Colorado groups were both investigated after announcing plans for anti-war demonstrations. In a statement issued by the Colorado ACLU, Legal Director Mark Silverstein said, "These documents underscore the ACLU's concern that the JTTF inappropriately regards public protest as potential 'domestic terrorism'... By casting its net so unjustifiably wide, the FBI wastes taxpayers' money and threatens to chill legitimate dissent." The ACLU has asked the city of Denver to withdraw from the Colorado JTTF.

In Michigan four advocacy groups were listed as targets of investigations described at a January 2002 "Domestic Terrorism Symposium" attended by representatives of the FBI, Michigan State Police Force, including its Criminal Intelligence Unit, the Secret Service, Michigan State University, and Michigan's National Guard and Department of Corrections. Documents obtained from the meeting state its purpose was to keep law enforcement "apprised of the activities of the various groups and individuals within the state of Michigan who are thought to be involved in terrorist activities." In addition to covering white militias and prison gangs, the meeting reported on the following:

• By Any Means Necessary, a national organization that defends affirmative action. The documents indicate that the FBI reported that all their activities have been peaceful.
• East Lansing Animal Rights Movement and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Earth Liberation Front (ELF). The report states a student group of 12-15 members had planned a meeting and potluck dinner on the Michigan State University campus.
• Direct Action, a peace group that organized a march to protest a 2002 FBI program to interview 37 Lansing-area immigrants from the Middle East as racial profiling.

In a statement announcing release of the documents, ACLU Staff Attorney Ben Wizner said, "This document confirms our fears..." Michigan ACLU Director Kary Moss said, "Labeling political advocacy as 'terrorist activity' is a threat to legitimate dissent which has never been considered a crime in this country. Spying on those who simply disagree with our government's policies is a tremendous waste of police resources."