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FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force

FBI asks police to monitor protests and report to JTTF

With antiwar rallies scheduled to take place around the country, the FBI issued a detailed “Intelligence Bulletin” to state and local law enforcement agencies in October, 2003. The memo, titled “Tactics Used During Protests and Demonstrations,” asks police to “be alert” to “possible indicators of protest activity.” Although the memo discusses some specific forms of possible criminal activity such as trespass and vandalism, it warns that even peaceful civil disobedience “can create a climate of disorder.” The memo also details legitimate activities that are protected by the First Amendment, such as “us[ing] the internet to recruit, raise funds, and coordinate their activities” and “fundraising in support of the legal defense of accused protesters.” It describes activists’ videotaping of police officers as an “intimidation technique” and warns that it may be used “for documenting potential cases of police brutality and for distribution of information over the internet.” After asking law enforcement to be on the lookout for “these possible indicators of protest activity,” the memo concludes by asking all law enforcement officers to “report any potentially illegal acts to the nearest FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.”

• ACLU Slams Classified FBI Memorandum, News Release, November 23, 2003
  
  
• FBI Intelligence Bulletin no. 89, Tactics Used During Protests and Demonstrations, October 15, 2003