The documents show the activities occurred from at least March 2005 to May 2006 and that officers used false names, which the documents referred to as "covert identities" - to open e-mail accounts to receive messages from the groups.
Also included in the 46 pages of documents, obtained by the Maryland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, is an account of an activist's name being entered into a federally funded database designed to share information among state, local and federal law-enforcement agencies on terrorist and drug trafficking suspects.
ACLU attorney David Rocah said state police violated federal laws prohibiting departments that receive federal funds from maintaining databases with information about political activities and affiliations.
The activist was identified as Max Obuszewski. His "primary crime" was entered into the database as "terrorism - anti govern(ment)." His "secondary crime" was listed as "terrorism - anti-war protestors." The database is known as the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, or HIDTA.
"This is not supposed to happen in America," said Mr. Rocah. "In a free society, which relies on the engagement of citizens in debate and protest and political activity to maintain that freedom ... you should be able to attend a meeting about an issue you care about without having to worry that government spies are entering your name into a database used to track alleged terrorists and drug traffickers."
Mr. Rocah called the surveillance "Kafka-esque insanity."
State police Chief Col. Terrence B. Sheridan said the agency "does not inappropriately curtail the expression or demonstration of the civil liberties of protesters or organizations acting lawfully."
The surveillance of Mr. Obuszewski, of Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore, and another person came to light during his trial for trespassing and disorderly conduct in a 2004 protest outside the National Security Agency's headquarters in Fort Meade, Md.
Documents released by the prosecution revealed that the protesters had been under surveillance by an entity called the Baltimore Intelligence Unit.
The Maryland ACLU sued last month, claiming the state police refused to release public documents about the surveillance of peace activists.
The documents, which include intelligence reports and printouts from the database, show that several undercover officers from the state police's Homeland Security and Intelligence Division attended meetings of three groups: Mr. Obuszewski's group; the Coalition to End the Death Penalty; and the Committee to Save Vernon Evans, a convicted murderer who was slated for execution.
The documents show at least 288 hours of surveillance over the 14-month period. The undercover officers attended at least 20 organizing meetings at community halls and churches and a dozen rallies against the death penalty, including several at the state's SuperMax jail in Baltimore.
Included in the documents are references to a proposed sit-in at the offices of Baltimore County State's Attorney SandraA. O'Connor. However, they show no trooper reports of violence or threats of violence. Organizers repeatedly stressed the importance of peaceful and orderly demonstrations, the documents show.
***Article continues, click link to read***
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- goldenways
- added this
- added July 18, 2008
- flag
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Yeah. The NSA, the CIA, the FBI and the Maryland State Troopers. Who next? The Boy Scouts?
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Fascism.
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This was done in the 60s and70s. Same song, different dance. This should encourage us to be more active,not less. Tricky Dick would be so proud of Dubya.
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- bluestranger
- 12 months ago
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Do NOT let this scare you into submission and inactivity. That is what they hope for. But, be aware that any activist group you are involved with has probably been infiltrated. Don't quit, but act accordingly.
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These cops should be considered terrorists!
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This is becoming very common. Usually the people who have infiltrated also promote very radical idea's and attempt to incite the groups into violence and crime. So watch out...
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- Ayahuasca2012
- 12 months ago
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If you're going to be a fascist and spy on activists, spy on ones that actually matter.
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- Dmitri_Molotov
- 12 months ago
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They will also try to split the group (divide and conquer) they will try to hit on you (I couldn't make this up if I tried) they will try to obtain personal information and they will also try to make your group look ridiculous. They use all kinds of different methods. Some are very, very good at what they do. By the end of the vietnam war, most of the previously effective activist groups were about 2/3 infiltrators. Do you really think this isn't the case today? Especially within groups that matter, such as 9/11 truth groups. Never agree to anything that you don't feel good about. Never give out personal information. The leaders are sometimes the agents. Don't quit, but remember all of this. Don't be naive.
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- thebefuddler
- 12 months ago
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Orwell would be proud!!
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- bansheewail
- 12 months ago
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They have also enlisted churches in their spy programs. I read somewhere they have sent instructions to churches about calming people down in the event of martial law. I find this to be really frightening.
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Yes, Marilyn Murray, they were training pastors on what to do to calm their congregation in the case of martial law. Make no mistake, they do not train of things they are not going to use. Remember the blackhawks in Denver? The "urban warfare" training of marines in various U.S. cities? They got rid of habeus corpus, they implemented FISA, they got rid of posse comitatus, they signed NSPD 51 (same number as Hitler's executive order btw) which says they can shut down elections and bring in martial law with no interference from congress for 6 months. They also signed that Canadian troops can be brought in in times of "emergency." And you may want to look into FEMA and Rex-84, and the Halliburton detention camps around the country. Get prepared. They are going around Tucson, AZ and going to their doors asking people if they have firearms in their homes. Get prepared. Buy food and water and anything you might need in order to defend yourself and your family. And talk to friends and neighbors. Build awareness and community, not just online either.l
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More potentially bad news is that the troopers can enhance or even fabricate their information to endear themselves to whichever organizations they answer to for additional returned favors. A vast difference between the 60's to 70's group infiltrations and now is internet spyware and Photoshop.
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Hoo-ray for the bushites and the USAUNPATRIOT ACT!
TO THE STREETS!!!
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Is it not time to start organizing MASSIVE street protests?
My son's and I don't have many resources but what we have we are willing to contribute.Maybe the more affluent among us that believe the time has come for action can help those that believe likewise.WE need to start NOW!!!If nothing else maybe we can force their hand.Arresting 1000's of U.S. citizens for protesting should at least raise awareness of the scope of the problem.Who knows, maybe this little message will be enough to get me a visit from the cia or secret service.
TO THE STREETS!!!
TO THE STREETS!!!
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- pissedoffinarkansas
- 12 months ago
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thebefuddler "Yes, Marilyn Murray, they were training pastors on what to do to calm their congregation in the case of martial law. Make no mistake, they do not train of things they are not going to use. Remember the blackhawks in Denver? The "urban warfare" training of marines in various U.S. cities? They got rid of habeus corpus, they implemented FISA, they got rid of posse comitatus, they signed NSPD 51 (same number as Hitler's executive order btw) which says they can shut down elections and bring in martial law with no interference from congress for 6 months. They also signed that Canadian troops can be brought in in times of "emergency." And you may want to look into FEMA and Rex-84, and the Halliburton detention camps around the country. Get prepared. They are going around Tucson, AZ and going to their doors asking people if they have firearms in their homes. Get prepared. Buy food and water and anything you might need in order to defend yourself and your family. And talk to friends and neighbors. Build awareness and community, not just online either."
ABSOLUTELY TRUE, EVERY BIT OF IT!We need to question our legislators about this. Why and how did they let this happen?
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- Marilynn_Murray
- 12 months ago
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I think they do this because they haven't a clue how to infiltrate real terrorist groups. They need to use the training somewhere so they pick groups they don't like- just like during the civil rights era.
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- spoonieday
- 12 months ago
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is nothing sacred anymore?
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meh...big deal.
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- SilenceNoMore
- 12 months ago
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They are going around Tucson, AZ and going to their doors asking people if they have firearms in their homes. thebefuddler..do you live in that area? I 'm not doubting you just wondering if you have first hand experience.
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COINTELPRO (an acronym for Counter Intelligence Program)
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- HolyCity2012
- 12 months ago
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This is what my tax dollars are being wasted on?
288 hours of surveillance and how many f-n dollars spent tracking anti-death penalty protesters?
Because they are a threat to?
You've got to be kidding.
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- damnneargenius
- 12 months ago
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Then, you have police officers dressed up as protestors, inciting violence, throwing rocks to their fellow police officers, so then the police can use force over peaceful protestors and instigate fear into everyone.
Welcome to the police state!
Walk forward and in line. If you question anything, we will tase you. -
"You are free to do as we tell you."
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- damnneargenius
- 12 months ago
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We here at current must be keeping those basta.... very busy and employed.
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lol who cares about these idiots, but fuck the cops.
Bush had nothing to do witth this either. Why does everything have to be his fault. He fucked up alot, but when you guys get up in tthe morning and have a hang over. Its because you drank to much, W didnt hit you with a hammer when you were sleeping
