ACLU FOIA Requests Flush Out Political Spying by FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Latest Update: Dec 03, 2004
On December 2, 2004, the Colorado ACLU invoked the Freedom of Information Act on behalf of 16 organizations and 10 individuals, seeking disclosure from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) of the files on it keeps on peaceful and nonviolent political activity.
At a press conference announcing the FOIA campaign, the ACLU of Colorado presented a detailed powerpoint presentation, based on files obtained from the Denver police Spy Files litigation, showing that the FBI had also been monitoring and keeping files on how Colorado activists exercise their First Amendment rights.
The FOIA request was part of a nation-wide ACLU campaign to uncover the full extent of FBI political surveillance. The national ACLU and at least a half-dozen additional state ACLU affiliates filed similar requests for FBI documents the same day. The Colorado ACLU and other state affiliates filed additional FOIA requests in 2005.
In four subsequent news releases, the ACLU of Colorado disclosed files obtained through these FOIA requests that demonstrated that the FBI has been keeping files on peaceful political activity, often in files classified as "domestic terrorism." The ACLU of Colorado relied on these documents in correspondence asking Denver officials to end their participation in the FBI task force.
Media:
“FBI’s misguided surveillance,” The Denver Post, April 6, 2006
“Spy files” include antiwar surveillance,” The Denver Post, March 28, 2006
“FBI allegedly kept eye on nonviolent anti-war groups,” The Denver Post, March 28, 2006
“ACLU: Peaceful groups in FBI files,” The Denver Post, August 2, 2005
“'Spy files' all over again?,” The Denver Post, May 22, 2005
ACLU: Pull cops from terror unit,” The Denver Post, May 18, 2005
ACLU demands Denver police comply with no-spying rule,” 9 News, May 18, 2005
““Spy files” pact may be broken,” The Denver Post, May 17, 2005
“ACLU Fights FBI Spying on Colorado Activists,” 5280, December 6, 2004
“ACLU accuses FBI of spying,” Rocky Mountain News, December 3, 2004
“FBI spying allegations supported by records,” The Denver Post, December 3, 2004
- 12/02/2004 Colorado ACLU's Freedom of Information Request to FBI
- 12/02/2004 Freedom of Information Act Request RE: Joint Terrorism Task Force
Date Filed: 12/02/2004
Affiliate: CO
Download documentDate Filed: 12/02/2004
Affiliate: CO
Download documentFBI conducts surveillance of Denver bookstore and records license plate numbers of vehicles
New documents confirm that FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force treats peaceful protest as potential terrorism
New documents confirm: FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force targets peaceful activists for harassment, political surveillance
Presenting documentary evidence of FBI political spying, ACLU files FOIA request on behalf of 16 organizations and 10 individuals
Related News & Podcasts
FBI conducts surveillance of Denver bookstore and records license plate numbers of vehicles
New documents confirm that FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force treats peaceful protest as potential terrorism
New documents confirm: FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force targets peaceful activists for harassment, political surveillance
Presenting documentary evidence of FBI political spying, ACLU files FOIA request on behalf of 16 organizations and 10 individuals
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