New revealing documents show that the freedom of assembly and protest in the USA is treated as a systemic threat by police.
From Justice Online (via Kasama):
Documents Reveal Secret Nationwide Occupy Monitoring
FBI documents just obtained by the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) pursuant to the PCJF’s Freedom of Information Act demands reveal that from its inception, the FBI treated the Occupy movement as a potential criminal and terrorist threat even though the agency acknowledges in documents that organizers explicitly called for peaceful protest and did “not condone the use of violence” at occupy protests.
The PCJF has obtained heavily redacted documents showing that FBI offices and agents around the country were in high gear conducting surveillance against the movement even as early as August 2011, a month prior to the establishment of the OWS encampment in Zuccotti Park and other Occupy actions around the country.
“This production, which we believe is just the tip of the iceberg, is a window into the nationwide scope of the FBI’s surveillance, monitoring, and reporting on peaceful protestors organizing with the Occupy movement,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF). “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. These documents also show these federal agencies functioning as a de facto intelligence arm of Wall Street and Corporate America.”
... continue reading at Justice Online (or at Kasama).
There was a brutal gang rape in New Delhi recently and spontaneous protests erupted near the seat of power a couple of days ago. The govt. is trying its best to keep the protesters quiet ---> Police said one additional DCP, an ACP and a constable were seriously injured in the violence as protests at the Central Vista entered the third day prompting clamping of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in New Delhi district banning the assembly of four or more persons, The Vista is the 3-km broad avenue from India Gate that leads to Raisina hill where the PMO, Rastrapati Bhawan and Home Ministry among other offices are located.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Delhi-gangrape-violence-at-Raisina-Hills-PM-appeals-for-calm-assures-safety-to-women/Article1-979832.aspx
It looks important news, thanks. I'll see what I can find from non-bourgeois media.
DeleteDo you feel that this incident has triggered a popular "overreaction" because people is already very angry against the government for other reasons?
Very true Maju. I feel this incident was just a trigger. Last year we had public mobilization under the banner of India Against Corruption. The demand was for a strong Lokpal (Ombudsman). That movement has split.
DeleteThe underlying issue of Public Anger is Bad Governance and Corruption. This protest did not have any leader and that's what I liked about it. India is a young country and people are fed up about a few blocking the way of the others.
Today 9 Metro Stations near India Gate were closed. The reason given was security due to the visit of the Russian Premier Putin. There were some govt. Ministers sort of pleading people not to give a wrong impression when a Foreign Head of State is visiting India. However, the anger would be tough for those in the Power to contain. I would be happy if next time the protesters march inside inside the Houses of Power and do what should be rightfully done - similar thing may have materialized last year.